Design and Violence

An unprecedented examination of design's ability to effect, defuse, obfuscate or unveil manifestations of violence in contemporary society

Design has a history of violence. It can be an act of creative destruction and a double-edged sword, and yet professional discourse around design has been dominated by voices that only trumpet its commercial and aesthetic successes. Violence, defined here as the power to alter circumstances against the will of others and to their detriment, is ubiquitous in history and in contemporary society. In recent years, moreover, technology has introduced new threats and added dramatically to the many manifestations of violence. Design and Violence is an exploration of the relationship between the two that sheds light on the complex impact of design on the built environment and on everyday life, as well as on the forms of violence in contemporary society. Published to accompany an online experiment launched by The Museum of Modern Art in October 2013, this book brings together controversial, provocative and compelling design projects with leading voices from a variety of fields. Each invited author responds to one object chosen by the curators--ranging from an AK-47 to a Euthanasia Rollercoaster, from plastic handcuffs to the Stuxnet digital virus--and invites dialogue, comments, reflection and active, occasionally fierce, debate. Examples of questions posed include: Can we design a violent act to be more humane? How far can the state go to protect its borders from immigration before it becomes an act of violence? Is violence male? These experimental and wide-ranging conversations host voices from the fields of art and design, science, law, criminal justice, ethics, finance, journalism and social justice, making Design and Violence an invaluable resource for lively discussions and classroom curricula.

Author: Paola Antonelli
Publisher: Museum of Modern Art
Published: 06/23/2015
Pages: 232
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.60lbs
Size: 10.60h x 9.10w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780870709685

About the Author

Paola Antonelli is the Director of Research & Development and Senior Curator in the Department of Architecture & Design at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Jamer Hunt is a design critic and the founding director of the MFA program in Transdisciplinary Design at Parsons The New School for Design, New York.

Kate Carmody is an independent design curator who has worked for institutions including the Natural History Museum, the Cooper Hewitt, and MoMA.

Michelle Fisher is a Curatorial Assistant in the Department of Architecture and Design at MoMA.