work samples:

slow design (2003-6)

The instances of 'slow design,' at left, are all successful examples of how design can slow the pace of our interactions with people, places and things. These unique projects unlock new ways of ‘knowing’ the things we encounter in daily life, allowing for more intimate and expansive territories of interaction and experience.

Anna Hillman created her Guerrilla Graphics project on London's busy streeets as part of a 'campaign' to encourage people to explore and engage with their local surroundings. Her bold, handwritten messages call people's attention to beautiful details they may never have noticed, or perhaps have just forgotten about. The words "FEEL ME" invite a passerby to slow down and stroke soft patches of moss atop a brick wall, while the message "LOOK AT THE SKY" on a pathway reminds people to enjoy the nature that floats eternally above their heads. Hillman's goal is to help people engage more deeply in everyday places, encouraging them to activate the five senses in unexpected ways. The messages spring up at random and in surprising locations and, because they are drawn in chalk, disappear almost as quickly.

As graduate students at theCranbrook Academy of Art, Mark Moskovitz, Jada Schumacher and Fei Zha worked together to create Slow Water, an exploration of slow design in relation to a social instance of consumption. The students examined the perceived value of water to humanity and created a product that allowed for a build-up in anticipation rather than a sense of entitlement as it relates to drinking water. This table water system delivers water at a speed determined by the liveliness and activity at the table itself. When conversation and movement flow, so does the water, as the vibrations are translated from the table to the "fountain." The project presents a new program for the 'on/off' switch while also enabling, through its sculptural form, a pause for contemplation of one of the most vital elements in life.

Broken White by designer Simon Heijdens is a collection of ceramic dishes with rare physical characteristics. As they facilitate the consumption of food and drink over many months and years, the smooth white plates, cups and bowls develop tiny cracks that slowly, very slowly, reveal intricate floral patterns. The varying states of adornment on each plate or cup directly reflects the relationship with its owner, so that his/her favorites have the greatest wealth of decoration while others may remain quite plain. Broken White is one in a series of projects by Heijdens concerned with time and presence, imbuing everyday objects with greater meaning and expression over the course of their relationships with the people who use them so that they become more precious (and less disposable).

back to Julian Bleecker work samples:

> work sample 1: WiFi.ArtCache (2004-2006)

> work sample 2: MobileScout (2004)

> work sample 3: WiFi.Bedouin (2003-2004)

> work sample 4: PDPal, Eyebeam Edition (2002)