Time has come for extreme change.
Society is ready to break away from last century
for good.
To break with creative conventions,
theoretic rules and stigmas that now are questioned,
challenged and broken.
To break with a materialistic mentality replacing
it with the crafted materialisation of modest
earth-bound and recomposed matter.

In the aftermath of the worst financial crisis
in decades, a period of glamorous and streamlined
design for design's sake comes to an end.
A new generation of designers retrace their roots,
refine their earth and research their history,
sometimes going back to the beginning of time.

In this process, they form and formulate design around
natural and sustainable materials, favoring timber,
hide, pulp, fibre, earth and fire.
Like contemporary cavemen, they reinvent shelter,
redesign tools and manmade machines, and
conceptualize archaic rituals for a more modest,
content and contained lifestyle.
Like a Fred Flintstone of the future.

Lidewij Edelkoort | Exhibition Director

A touring exhibition from 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT