WS: Claudia Mareis and Reinhard Wendler: Designing Models, Modelling Design

The common notion of design today is dominated by the idea of aesthetically finishing or polishing an object or action. A survey over the competing notions of design of the last sixty years however helps to outline a much wider and more complex notion of design as an almost ubiquitous practice in science and art, politics and social life. Much the same applies for today´s notion of models: They are widely considered as either representations of something or as patterns for a future action. Again, a survey over recent theories and practices of models and modelling reveals a wider and more complex landscape, in which models can only be characterized by multiple identities, shifting notions and reciprocal effects. The workshop aims, firstly, to explore the complexity of the concepts of designing and modelling. Secondly, these complex notions will be examined both in theory and practice in their interrelations and interferences: How can design processes be described as modelling processes? How can models be understood in terms of design practice and theory? What is the role of materiality, mediality and visuality in both fields of reference? How and where are design and modelling processes interwoven in everyday material and visual culture, science, economy, and politics? Finally, the workshop aims to establish the ambitious concepts of designing and modelling as two major tools of critical thinking with regard to epistemic-material practice and cultures.

The program of the two-day workshop brings together theoretical input, reading and discussion of historical and contemporary design and model theories with a more ›hands on‹, practice-based investigation into design and modelling processes. A reader with selected texts will be circulated in preparation of the workshop.

Program of the workshop

03 February 2015 (Wednesday)
10-13:00

• Warm-up exercise: ›Images of models‹. Layout and discussion of various images of models.
• Theoretical input by Claudia Mareis and Reinhard Wendler: ›Designing Models, Modelling Design‹. Followed by discussion of the selected readings.

14-16:00 Practice-based field research (group work)

04 February (Thursday)
10-12:00 Presentation of field research results, followed by general discussion
12-13.00 Wrap-up of the workshop results