Design, Art, and Repurposing Industrialism

In Sardar's recent SFGate article about the upcoming World Design Congress, he briefly considers the question: "is industrial design really art?" and cites Charles Eames's response:

"Charles Eames' famous response to that question in 1972, during an interview with Madame L'Amic of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, was, "Design is an expression of purpose. It may (if it is good enough) later be judged as art." "

More than thirty years later (and well past groundbreaking works that increasingly broke down divisions between 'high' and 'low' art), the question sounds banal and narrow. What is more interesting to consider are the ways in which the blending of what might have previously been considered 'high' and 'low' has manifested itself, especially in terms of institutions.

The Kokerei Zollverein in Essen, Germany (once Europe's most modern coking plant, now re-purposed as art/design school and design museum) is a fascinating example. The architecture that makes up this gigantic industrial facility is now a non-operational set of aesthetic inspirations in which contemporary artists and designers dwell. To follow are some pictures from a visit I made there in March, 2006.

Note the Earth First! manifesto near the entrance to the cafe. More pics (including some inside the design museum) here.