Designboom's 'Radical Softness' Chapter Explores Care and Interdependence
The editorial segment 'Radical Softness' by Designboom has reached its conclusion, delving into themes of architecture, art, design, and technology through lenses of care, vulnerability, and ecological awareness. It framed softness as a significant cultural and political element. Contributors such as Yuko Mohri, Jiumo Wang, and the Holy See Pavilion underscored the importance of listening as an act of care. Numerous projects shifted away from a solely human viewpoint, recognizing plants and animals as partners. Anicka Yi investigated microbial time, while Aki Inomata worked alongside living beings, and Rootfull engaged in bio textile research. Victoria Yakusha and others emphasized repair, while Lisa Yuskavage addressed emotional softness. The chapter concluded with the idea that softness encourages attention, reciprocity, vulnerability, and care.
Key facts
- Designboom's 'Radical Softness' chapter explored architecture, art, design, and technology through care, attention, vulnerability, repair, and ecological sensitivity.
- Softness was presented as a cultural and political force, not weakness.
- Projects at the Venice Art Biennale and Milan Design Week were featured.
- Yuko Mohri, Jiumo Wang, and the Holy See Pavilion emphasized listening as care.
- Anicka Yi explored microbial time; Aki Inomata collaborated with living creatures.
- Almudena Romero used living crops for photographs; Rootfull conducted bio textile experiments.
- Repair was highlighted by Victoria Yakusha, Studio Method, Jean Shin, and Moffat Takadiwa.
- Emotional softness was addressed by Lisa Yuskavage, Iris van Herpen, Bethan Laura Wood, Georgia Smedley, and Erwin Wurm.
- Collective care works included JR's monumental tapestry and Ei Arakawa Nash's baby dolls.
- Architecture shifted toward permeability with Andreas Angelidakis, TAKK, Studio I/thee, and LANZA Atelier.
- Material imagination involved Lea Colombo, Simone Post, Delcy Morelos, and Joris Laarman.
- Inherited knowledge informed Yasmeen Lari and Malika Verma.
- Playfulness characterized Danielle Brathwaite Shirley, the Kazakhstan Pavilion, and the India Pavilion.
Entities
Artists
- Yuko Mohri
- Jiumo Wang
- Anicka Yi
- Aki Inomata
- Almudena Romero
- Rootfull
- Victoria Yakusha
- Studio Method
- Jean Shin
- Moffat Takadiwa
- Lisa Yuskavage
- Iris van Herpen
- Bethan Laura Wood
- Georgia Smedley
- Erwin Wurm
- JR
- Ei Arakawa Nash
- LR Vandy
- Andreas Angelidakis
- TAKK
- Studio I/thee
- LANZA Atelier
- Lea Colombo
- Simone Post
- Delcy Morelos
- Joris Laarman
- Yasmeen Lari
- Malika Verma
- Danielle Brathwaite Shirley
Institutions
- Designboom
- Venice Art Biennale
- Milan Design Week
- Holy See Pavilion
- Kazakhstan Pavilion
- India Pavilion
- Heritage Foundation of Pakistan
- David Zwirner
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park
- Serpentine
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Milan
- Pakistan