[ISEA2019] Paper: Marios Samdanis, Chrystalla Kapetaniou, Yi Kyung Kim & Soo Hee Lee — Reflective Remediation as Critical Design Strategy: Lessons from László Moholy-Nagy and Olafur Eliasson

Abstract

Keywords: Remediation, digital art, digital design, interactivity

Reflective remediation is an important component of contemporary media theory, which emphasises the creative efforts of avant-garde artists and designers to shape the evolution of media in a critical way. However, the critical capacity of reflective remediations may be compromised by commercial dynamics or conventions, such as the celebration of ‘reflectivity for reflectivity’s sake’ that aims to construct an auratic experience for viewers. Because reflectivity is a critical media practice, it is vital to investigate reflective remediations in tandem with the critical intensions and creative visions of artists and designers. We investigate the critical media practices of the Bauhaus master, László Moholy-Nagy (1895-1946) who explored the concept of ‘productive creativity’, according to which creative experimentation should lead to design knowledge, redefining the relationship between what is known and unknown. We then scrutinise the artistic practice of the Icelandic-Danish contemporary artist Olafur Eliasson (b.1967), who contextualises reflectivity as an embodied experience, in terms of what he calls ‘frictional encounters’. When applied together, the two concepts enhance our understanding of reflective remediation as a critical design strategy.

  • Dr Marios Samdanis is a Lecturer in Strategy, Entrepreneurship and International Management at Brunel University, London, UK. His research focuses on remediation, artistic innovation, media convergence, sociomateriality and digital creativity.
  • Dr. Chrystalla Kapetaniou is a Special Scientist at the Economics Research Centre at University of Cyprus. Her research interests focus on automation technologies and employment, 3D printing ecosystems, and the role of institutions in influencing start-ups.
  • Yi Kyung Kim is Adjunct Professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, South Korea. She is an acclaimed scenographer, choreographer and costume designer, featuring digital dance performance works in Korea, Spain and the UK.
  • Soo Hee Lee is Professor in Organization Studies at University of Kent, UK and the Director of the Creative City Forum in Korea. His research focuses on behavioral underpinnings and organisational dynamics of digital convergence and creativity.

Full text (PDF) p. 453-457