Individuality and freedom of expression are the concepts that mostly define the coming seasons.
The momentous period that we are witnessing is certainly austere: the energy crisis, political crises, economic instability, wars, and big social disparities.
The financial markets are suffering, just like the global economy.
During the big cultural revolutions and wars, historically we participated in major intellectual and artistic ferment that brought along great changes.
Individual research and intellectual and artistic movements, found fertile ground during major periods of economic belt-tightening and international crises.
We are today part of a "Post Digital" effect.
Modernism brought Post Modernism, and Constructivism brought Post Constructivism.
Such reactions are historically of use to explain and balance the relationship between Man and the Environment, because not all of mankind has a suicide instinct.
Today there are confused feelings, a mix of optimism and a sense of catastrophe, of well-being and worries, fascination in the future and fear of losing one’s own cultural identity.
The hyperactive pace of life and the "zapping" approach to every activity, have brought us a desire for introspection, a re-discovery of simplicity, and to a rejection of superfluousness and waste.
The responsible and ethical consumer, recovers classical values with introspective reactions and a touch of finality.
The birth of private social circles -- web communities like Small World and Facebook, are an example.
Personalisation is a strong phenomenon…..
4 Megatrends identified by the TJF Group Observatory for the 2010 seasons:
1_ HYPERLIFE
Hyper from ancient Greek, Over (comparative more hyper, superlative most hyper) Slang: short term for Hyperactive. 1960’s and 70’s design inspired. Op Art, organic geometries, movement, bio-design. Non industrial, personal effects. Costume made chains, mixing industrial and hand made, abstract expressionism on metal, sculptured objects. Textures: treated metals, hammered, brushed, darkened surfaces, mosaics, encrustations. Metal: white, yellow, pink and brown gold, platinum, titanium, bronze and silver. Alternative materials mixed with precious metals and mainly diamonds. Dark tones.
"Good design" Self expression, Abstract Expressionism (reference Jackson Pollock) Materials: plastic, resins, fibreglass Biomorphic and organic shapes (reference, Hans Arp).Abstraction, graphics, rhythmic patterns, mirrors block repetitions. Enamelling, colour blocking in combination with luminous surfaces. Metal. Omega chain, gas tube, tank links. Bold silhouettes.
3_ NOUVELLE NOUVEAU
Sustainable design. Narrating objects, recuperated materials, enamelling, plique-a-jour and cloisonné, recycled glass beads and elements, wood with metal and gems. Symbolic elements of nature and mythological characters.
Smash Culture can be defined as an evolution of Punk Culture. Smash culture is the result of multiple emerging subcultures flourishing from web communities and youngsters around the Globe. The Smash term is used as a blend of different world elements combined as a consequence of Globalization, the rapid speed of information and web reality. Punk culture, born in the 1970s in the UK and the United States, promoted individualism, freedom and self expression. Smash culture has a similar root to Punk philosophy in antithesis to the conformity of styles and cultural forces by media culture and global standards…..
