This morning I met with fellow unit x group member Aine in the Interactive Arts studio to discuss our first initial ideas of Manchester. From the off, our views of the city were different. Aine has lived here her entire life, therefore knowing a lot about the places in Greater Manchester and the city's history. I on the other hand had never really been interested in the city until applying for UNI. Even after being here for almost two years, I still manage to find new places to explore- still finding great excitement and appreciation for Manchester around every corner. We spoke a little about appreciation for the city- whether living in a certain place can devalue our views.
After a few days to collect our own research into Manchester, a small group of us met to discuss our ideas before tomorrow's tutorial:
RECYCLING: The idea of waste in the city. 'waste not want not'. lack of recycling in comparison to where I live. 'make do and mend' lifestyles. upcycling.
LIFE HACKS: how technology can be used to make our lives easier.
NORTHERN QUARTER: seen as the arty, hipster place in manchester. in reality, run down, derelict buildings. forgotten spaces. beauty through street art, stickering, bars, independent chain shops.
FORGOTTEN SPACES: where is the green space? no where to sit and enjoy the art work/ passing by of the city. could we make space? media city waste land. Mancunian way: graffiti/ no lighting
POSITIVE ASPECTS OF MANCHESTER: the new library. frequent transport links.
WEEDS: negative connotations yet in fact beautiful in there own right. dandelions eg. bring colour to the city.
PHYSICALITY VS. VIRTUALITY: social media playing a part for the design festival. instagram. twitter. lomography wall. virtual collages.
TECHNOLOGY: technology in control of human lifestyles. instead give control to nature.
NEGATIVES TO POSITIVES: making the unnoticeable, noticeable. change existing things, not creating new.
'designers are not just problem solvers, they are problem revealers too'
Occupy Design, London Design Festival 2013.