More from the Secret Garden Party…

Tobie — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:00:22 +0000

Material Beliefs took plasticine and felt tips to the Guerrilla Science Camp (full programme here) at the Secret Garden Party.

Our session was all about how bodies and products become connected through new technologies. Some initial slides showed images of everyday hybrids - including gamers and karaoke singers - enveloped within the tools of their pursuit.

Then we broke out the craft materials for some freestyle sketching, more here…

The kidney bed is a domestic dialysis unit. The sleeper has fallen from the bed after a heavy night on the sauce, assured that her blood will be spring-cleaned by morning.

Interview with Anders Sandberg

Tobie — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:52:09 +0000

Dr. Anders Sandberg is a Swedish neuroscientist, science debater, futurist, transhumanist, and author. He is currently postdoctoral research assistant for the Oxford group of the EU ENHANCE Project at the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics and research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute (Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University).

Find out more about Anders’ research, through his conversation with Susana Soares, filmed by Steve Jackman.

above: Anders Sandberg with Susana Soares, filmed by Steve Jackman

This Happened

Tobie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:46:18 +0000

Material Beliefs will be appearing at “This Happened“, on Friday 19th September at the Design Museum. This is part of the Design Overtime festival. Here’s how Chris, Joel and Andreas describe This Happened:

This happened is a series of events focusing on the stories behind interaction design. Having ideas is easier than making them happen. We delve into projects that exist today, how their concepts and production process can help inform future work.

Material Beliefs will be taking about design and engineering collaborations, alongside Yuri Suzuki, Daniel Brown and Dominic Harris.

Attendance is free but places are limited. Registration will open on Friday 5th September, with tickets allocated on a first come basis. More details soon, see Design Week for coverage of the event.

above: a previous This Happened, image from futureshape

Carnivorous Domestic Entertainment Robots

Tobie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:20:46 +0000

One of the projects coming out of collaborations within Material Beliefs is Carnivorous Domestic Entertainment Robots. Jimmy, James and Alex have been designing and building these, and images and film of the final objects will follow soon. They say:

In the context of the home, definitions of what a robot is and could be are open for interpretation. These robots are devices for utility, drama and entertainment.

For now here’s a page describing the project in some more detail, including drawings and renders. See more projects from Jimmy and James at the Auger Loizeau site.

“A vision for Science and Society”

Tobie — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:14:07 +0000

The DIUS have a widget on their Science and Society site that allows you to build your own questionnaire, here’s one for Material Beliefs:

Science and Society: your views

Please visit the Science and Society consultation site to join the debate.

I came across this at Wired’s blog where the author comments:

Although their website is disorganized and bloated with clips of elite people saying uninteresting things, the effort is noble, and it looks like they really do need a lot of help

This makes me think that the Material Beliefs site could do with a bit of pruning and rationalisation itself, stand by for some changes.