This project was in response to the question, “If modernism started from southern countries, what would have been its impact on design?”
What would have happened if modernist design had evolved from Southeast Asia? Many of the southern countries were, at various times, colonies of several countries from the northern hemisphere, such as the U.K., France, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, and had thus embraced the cultures of those countries, infusing and incorporating their design, tastes and aesthetic elements into their own culture, and eventually becoming accepted as part of the mainstream. . But what would have happened if the south had not been colonized and modernist design had developed from the south from the beginning?
The history of modern design began in the north. In particular, modernism, as symbolized by the Bauhaus, was like an epicenter of new design thought in Germany. The German people value discipline, order and stoicism, influenced in part by the harsh winters of its northern climate. As a reflection of the harsh climate and strict German culture, Bauhaus has eliminated unnecessary decorations and colors, and has created a minimalist design that is composed of simple, functional beauty and minimal elements.
On the other hand, the southern part has a milder season and abundant natural bounty. Life is easy, people go about life at their own pace, and they are more accepting of errors and delays. Especially in Southeast Asia, there are many resorts and one is left with the impression that time passes more slowly there. If modernism had begun in the south, it would surely have created a more colorful, feisty, complex, yet more open-minded design that reflects the climate of the southern countries and their tolerance for deviations from strict rules and norms.
Modern Japanese design has evolved under the influence of northern modernism. But what if modernism arose from the south, and the goods that are close to us, like those in a convenience store, were affected by it?
This project redesigns a concrete product based on such assumptions and visualizes the images derived from it.
