Discursive Design
Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers by Alberto Mantilla.
I first saw these ubiquitous kitchen decor item in the streets of Bangkok, specifically in Suan Lum Night Bazaar, an art market notoriously famous for (re)producing Philippe Starck furniture pieces and the likes of it.
Three years later, two academics are in mids of writing a book defining the intend of Alberto Mantilla as Discursive Design, arguing that to publish a framework serves to further educate consumer of what design intends to communicate. Little did I realize that his creation was meant for more than its hedonistic purposes.
“The shakers, with their stubby arms, nest together appearing to hug each other. As described by the designer, “[Their] very nature…connotes brotherhood.”
Incidentally, the couple/partner writers are also the designers behind the samurai umbrellas, which I happen to stumble upon not too long ago.
As explained by the writers, ‘discursive design’ serves to provoke the same way art does - “where design rubs up most closely against art.“
Even more disconcerting when discussed.