Kalli Retzepi in Conversation
The Ecological Metaphor, Critical Design, and Rethinking Digital Infrastructure
Rethinking Networks and Value: An Ecological Approach to Digital Economies
In this critical and wide-ranging talk, designer and technologist Kalli Retzepi shares her work from the Digital Economies Lab, challenging the foundations of our digital and cultural infrastructure.
Retzepi begins by exploring an ecological metaphor, drawing inspiration from natural systems like mycelium networks (the “Wood Wide Web”) to conceive of alternative, decentralized networks. This led to the development of the Need Offer Machine (NOM/ONM), a system designed to facilitate exchange based on non-monetary value.
The conversation questions the capitalist conflation of value and money, proposing that a unit like “the hour,” scaled by skill and knowledge, could foster resilient networks of care within the arts community. Retzepi also advocates for critical design that builds uncertainty, is human-first, and acknowledges failure.
Finally, the talk looks to the future, as Retzepi details her current work in challenging the very interface of personal computing—asking: What if the desktop metaphor no longer exists, and how can we break free from the dominance of the scrolling feed?
Watch to understand how an ecological lens can fundamentally reshape our approach to technology, cultural support, and economic exchange.
More about Kalli Retzepi here
Produced by the Artengine Stream Team:
Mikke Gordon aka Seiiizi https://twitter.com/s3iiizi
Ryan Stec
Kimberly Sunstrum https://www.kmbrlysnstrm.com/
Editorial Assistant
Erin Galt
Production Design Consultation
Leslie Marshall/MAVNetwork http://mavnetwork.com/
Post-Production Support: Chris Ikonomopoulos
DEL Theme Music by Mikki Gordon aka Seiiizi
Artengine’s Digital Economies Lab brought together a diverse group of artists, designers and other creatives to rethink the infrastructure of cultural production in the 21st century.
Funding for the Digital Economies Lab was received through the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Strategies Fund.
The Ecological Metaphor, Critical Design, and Rethinking Digital Infrastructure
Artengine’s Artistic Director Ryan Stec in conversation with Digital Economies Lab (DEL) participant, strategist, designer, artist and independent creative director, Julie Gendron, where they discuss Gendron’s work on the Offer Need Machine (ONM). Within this discussion Gendron addresses quantifying value by breaking down the mechanics of trust, recreating the ephemerality of chance interaction, and rating and evaluating with care.
