MAKING TOMORROW'S CULTURE TODAY

Sandra Alfoldy’s artist talk delves into the intricate relationship between craft, technology, tradition, and the evolving discourse surrounding the maker’s hand. With eloquence and depth, she navigates through the complexities of terminology and the shifting paradigms within professional studio practice and popular culture. Alfoldy deftly unpacks the dichotomy between the glorification of handcrafted authenticity in consumer culture and its diminished significance within professional studio settings. She critically examines the Eurocentric underpinnings of craft and design history, questioning the persistent dominance of European traditions and philosophies. (…)

Ken Greenberg delves into the transformative impact of technology on urban landscapes, threading his discourse with both optimism and caution. Opening with an assertion that technology should fundamentally serve humanity, Greenberg sets the tone for a reflective and critical exploration of our technological dependencies. He raises an essential query—whether the pervasive, rapid digitalization we are embracing is unequivocally beneficial. Through a historical lens, Greenberg recounts the automobile’s ascension in urban planning and its profound but often detrimental effects on city structures and social health. He connects these historical precedents to today’s tech-dominated scenario, emphasizing the need for a balanced, critically aware approach to incorporating new technologies into urban environments. (…)