During Sydney Design 2011, the Gaffa precinct was buzzing with creativity during our second annual See-Saw project. This year’s title was “Mend, Make-Do and Build Anew” in response to the festival theme “Is Old New Again?”. Presented by &company and our project partners, Gaffa Gallery, See-Saw brought together 20 students from diverse design disciplines. In teams of 4, they were allocated an industry mentor, a select range of materials and two days each to respond to a design challenge: To re-examine the City of Sydney through new eyes, and identify opportunities for design to mend, make-do or build anew.
The two week event began with a symposium exploring design, urban intervention, community and the city. We had some great speakers that kicked our brains into an inspired overload! Glen Wallace and Eva Rodriguez from the City of Sydney Council talking about the city, the 2030 plan for a green, global and connected city, and it’s public art programs. Selena Griffith (COFA lecturer and DESIS (Design Education for Social Innovation and Sustainability) Node Coordinator for Australia) spoke about social innovation and the role of design. Zanny Begg (director of the Tin Sheds Gallery, The University of Sydney), shared her experiences with art projects and community building in Australia and overseas. Tom Rivard, architect and designer (of Lean productions, and Urban Islands project) took us through “39 Strategies for Design”.
Each team was assigned a basic human need, and something that makes us “more human” that they had to respond to. Throughout the two week exhibition, the public was invited to come and watch the designers in action through a live video feed as the works grew.
Caroline Pidcock, along with Fergal White and Clare Hembrow lead the SHELTER + COMMUNITY group, exploring social meeting/information hubs around the city.
Bronwyn Fergusen of Karolina York lead the MOBILITY+RECREATION group with their “Domino Effect” project exploring social interaction through art and games installations in Martin Place.
Duncan Underwood of Digital Eskimo lead the COMMUNICATION+MORALITY group who explored “Just Advertising” and the potential for critical engagement with the barrage of adds that face us daily.
Andrew Simpson of Vert Design lead the FOOD+WISDOM group who developed “Seed to Feed”, a proposal for an installation event of planter pods to be taken home and to help distribute urban “balcony farming” wisdom and resources.
The new brief with a focus on the city and responsible design proved a really interesting development on last years iteration, with students taking on some big ideas and ambitious projects for such a short turn around. The proposals they have for the city were thought-provoking, moving, interesting, and held interesting potential for being realised.
Till next year, thanks to our event sponsors and supporters: Carbon8, Angullong wine, Little Creatures, Object: Australian Centre for Craft & Design, UNSW College of Fine Arts, The University Of Sydney Sydney College of the Arts, Billy Blue, The Whitehouse Institute, Black Star Pastry, Love Coogie, Cafe Giulia, Eckersleys, Reverse Garbage, Nick De Lorenzo, James Kenny, and graphic designer Emma Warfield (with logo by Daniel Dittmar).