LeveL
The Fragile Balance Of Utopia
21 Jun - 01 Oct 2017
LeveL
The Fragile Balance Of Utopia
21 June – 1 October 2017
In their installation LeveL – the fragile balance of utopia, designers mischer’traxler studio (Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler) analyze the bipolarity of utopia as a complex construct of individual and social ideals: a fragile system as a balancing act that takes into account the needs of both individuals and crowds.
For their large-scale installation LeveL, mischer’traxler studio make use of the metaphor of a mobile as a model for the utopia, that simultaneously functions as a chandelier. The hanging object only generates its full radiance in a state of equilibrium. Every movement in the room, whether caused by visitors, a draft of air or vibrations, is transformed in the object and thus in the luminescence of the object. The intensity of the light also fluctuates as long as the structure is in a state of imbalance. LeveL is an interactive installation that invites visitors to reflect on the many factors, including themselves, that can transform ideal systems into dystopias.
Moreover, the poetic and playful nature of the installation relies on design’s essential and increasingly important role as an intercultural mediator. Abstracting the complex theme of utopia within an object addressing both people’s emotions and senses will open up various levels of access for visitors, regardless of age or background. Play and contemplation will facilitate identification with their own sociocultural ideas of utopia without patronizing visitors.
Designers:
mischer’traxler studio (Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler)
LeveL – the fragile balance of utopia, developed by mischer’traxler studio in cooperation with the MAK (Curator: Thomas Geisler) as Austrian contribution for the London Design Biennale 2016, will be presented for the first time in Austria in the context of the VIENNA BIENNALE 2017. The Austrian contribution for the London Design Biennale 2016 was organized on behalf of the Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria by Austria Design Net, with support from the Austrian Economic Chambers and the Austrian Cultural Forum London.
Concept and Production: mischer’traxler studio
Team: Elisa Polner, Maria Bauhofer, Theresa Ohm, Benedikt Steiner
Electro-technical Development: Simon Laburda / DKIA
Austrian commissioner for the London Design Biennale 2016: Thomas Geisler, MAK
Organization: Austria Design Net
Supporting Partner: Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria, Austrian Economic Chambers/go international, Austrian Cultural Forum London
The Fragile Balance Of Utopia
21 June – 1 October 2017
In their installation LeveL – the fragile balance of utopia, designers mischer’traxler studio (Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler) analyze the bipolarity of utopia as a complex construct of individual and social ideals: a fragile system as a balancing act that takes into account the needs of both individuals and crowds.
For their large-scale installation LeveL, mischer’traxler studio make use of the metaphor of a mobile as a model for the utopia, that simultaneously functions as a chandelier. The hanging object only generates its full radiance in a state of equilibrium. Every movement in the room, whether caused by visitors, a draft of air or vibrations, is transformed in the object and thus in the luminescence of the object. The intensity of the light also fluctuates as long as the structure is in a state of imbalance. LeveL is an interactive installation that invites visitors to reflect on the many factors, including themselves, that can transform ideal systems into dystopias.
Moreover, the poetic and playful nature of the installation relies on design’s essential and increasingly important role as an intercultural mediator. Abstracting the complex theme of utopia within an object addressing both people’s emotions and senses will open up various levels of access for visitors, regardless of age or background. Play and contemplation will facilitate identification with their own sociocultural ideas of utopia without patronizing visitors.
Designers:
mischer’traxler studio (Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler)
LeveL – the fragile balance of utopia, developed by mischer’traxler studio in cooperation with the MAK (Curator: Thomas Geisler) as Austrian contribution for the London Design Biennale 2016, will be presented for the first time in Austria in the context of the VIENNA BIENNALE 2017. The Austrian contribution for the London Design Biennale 2016 was organized on behalf of the Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria by Austria Design Net, with support from the Austrian Economic Chambers and the Austrian Cultural Forum London.
Concept and Production: mischer’traxler studio
Team: Elisa Polner, Maria Bauhofer, Theresa Ohm, Benedikt Steiner
Electro-technical Development: Simon Laburda / DKIA
Austrian commissioner for the London Design Biennale 2016: Thomas Geisler, MAK
Organization: Austria Design Net
Supporting Partner: Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria, Austrian Economic Chambers/go international, Austrian Cultural Forum London