Exhibition

Tools for the Design Revolution

29 September –4 November 2012
designforum Vienna MQ
Museumsplatz1, 1070 Vienna

Opening: 28 September 2012
17:00 as part of Vienna Design Week

(4.8) Tools for the Design Revolution

The exhibition by the IDRV – Institute of Design Research Vienna showcased design at a pivotal moment, highlighting its critical role in reshaping society towards a sustainable future. It focused on how design can support globally responsible lifestyles rooted in solidarity. The exhibition emphasized Sustainable Design strategies, which aim to create a socially, ecologically, and ethically sustainable future. Experimental approaches, peer learning, and scientifically grounded methods were central to its concept.

Three pilot projects, conceived specifically for the exhibition by the design teams DANKLHAMPEL, breadedEscalope, and Spirit Design, outlined potential future work scenarios for designers while promoting a paradigm shift in the understanding of design as a discipline. These projects championed experimentation and the deliberate departure from traditional notions of products and design. The life domains of mobility, food, and housing served as the foundation for exploring innovative and complex forms of environmental design. These scenarios connected directly with visitors’ everyday realities, inviting them to engage critically with sustainability and their personal consumption habits.

The exhibition was accompanied by a diverse program of events, including:

Long Night of Museums (October 6, 2012): A nighttime event where visitors could explore the exhibition from 6 PM to midnight.

“Restlessen” (October 7, 2012): An interactive cooking project led by DANKLHAMPEL in collaboration with chmara.rosinke as part of the Mobile Hospitality Kitchen initiative. Visitors were invited to bring leftovers from their refrigerators and participate in collective cooking.

Guided Tour on the History of Sustainable Design (October 12, 2012): Led by Marco Kellhammer, this tour provided insights into the evolution of sustainable design strategies.

Curators’ Tour (October 19, 2012): Guided by Harald Gründl, this event offered an in-depth look at the curatorial vision behind the exhibition.

Circle 00004 (r=4): Revolution. What now? (October 31, 2012): Part of the series Circle by the IDRV, this event focused on actionable ideas for transformative design practices.

Circle 00005 (r=4) The Aesthetics of Sustainable Design (December 12, 2012)

The exhibition also offered a specially designed school program, which educators could download to integrate the exhibition’s themes into their teaching.

By addressing pressing global challenges and promoting design as a transformative force, the exhibition provided a platform for critical engagement with the concept of sustainability and the role of design in shaping a better future.