The third episode of The User Condition series will take place just before the holidays! On the 29th of July, French designer Anaëlle Beignon will discuss with Silvio Lorusso about design approaches that take into account the use of obsolete devices.

But what does obsolete really mean? In her master thesis, Anaëlle shows how obsolescence is not an "essential" feature of a device, but a relational quality involving societal and technical expectations.

In this episode we will tackle those expectations and their consequences on participation in social life. We will go back to the origin of the term obsolescence to see how it relates to economic imperatives. Finally, we will consider those art and design practices that help us reconsider what is obsolete and what it is not.

Freshly graduated from Malmö University, Anaëlle Beignon is a French interaction designer who is particularly interested in critical approaches to technology and in ways to challenge the dominant understanding of innovation in her design practice. . https://anaellebeignon.fr

Silvio Lorusso is a writer, artist and designer based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In 2018 he published his first book entitled Entreprecariat. He is an assistant professor and vice-director of the Centre for Other Worlds at the Lusófona University in Lisbon. https://silviolorusso.com

Photo: GIF extracted from the video of Dilemma, by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland.

Date: Thursday, 29th of July 2021
Time: 18:00h - 19:00h CEST
Location: Online (https://stream.vvvvvvaria.org)

This event is made possible with the kind support of the Creative Industries Fund NL.