Onomatopee & Atelier Sophie Krier present Field Essays, the design process unveiled. Field Essays brings together reflection and fieldwork in an ongoing research into the tactile world of design thinking and making. Field Essays looks at processes that emerge on the frontiers of the design field – where imaginative tactics and territories are explored. By following the production of new work Field Essays acts both as a trampoline and a sounding board for the participants.
Every issue is a renewed attempt at formulating a visual grammar of design research. Ultimately, Field Essays strives to emancipate the design process from its instrumental role by gaining understanding of and contextualizing its nature and manifestations.
Field Essay #1 juxtaposes the work of designer Jonathan Muecke (USA) and photographer Bas Princen (NL). With his photographs, Princen frames built and un-built landscapes – revealing their mind-blowing oddities. On the other hand, the core motive of Muecke’s design practice is “to retain potential in an object”. Muecke’s bold artifacts act like probes that venture into the realms of our perception – attempting to detect its mechanisms. Both create visual propositions that “make room” – thereby making room for another reading of the world.