Platform 13
Platform 13 starts from the premise that our current global society, with its prevailing techno-political system, faces challenges of an unprecedented scale.
We are asking ourselves how Design can contribute to alternative models of living and production by engaging with, commenting on, and addressing issues currently beyond the usual scope of design - political, social, technological or ecological. We are exploring the potential of creating tangible objects or interventions which impact at a social or behavioural level, by engaging with new methods of production and dissemination.
Tutors
Onkar Kular, Sebastien Noel
Students
2nd year: Jen Hui Liao, Vahakn Matossian-Gelhaar, Matthew Plummer-Fernandez
1st year: Julian Bond, David Hood, Hwang Kim, Jorge Manes Rubio, Benjamin Newland, Shunsuke Tanaka (PEP)
2008/2009 projects
"Park, Set and Match" by Jorge Mañes
'park, set and match' is jorge's misreading of london's supermarket parking systems, in which he transforms them into his own tennis tournament. these large, privately owned properties are monitored by CCTV cameras and security guards, and are offered for free to clients in order to make their shopping experience a little bit easier. to get into the game, you need only to buy some water and fruit which will allow you to legally occupy the parking space for two hours. you are then able to set-up your tennis match which will be 'televised' by CCTV cameras, a public source recording allowing players to obtain a copy of their match through the creative commons act. the winner receives a fruity trophy from the supermarket.
"Consumption Rationing Trading System" by Hwang Kim
Consumption Rationing Trading System is proposed as an alternative system to our current market economy, and aimed at satisfying economic freedom in a more harmonious and balanced way. The key idea is that if the wealthy voluntarily share their wealth to benefit the poor, the market economy would be both healthy and efficiently maintained, while consequently improving the overall distribution in wealth and growth.
The scenario of CRTS is as follows. An individual has a limit in one's own consumption. CRT Bank distributes Consumption Limits equally to individuals. CL can be traded legitimately. As a result, the government can reduce taxes related to social welfare. Thereby, domestic economy is activated. At the same time welfare finance is expected to move constantly from the wealthy to the poor. As a cooperative society is formed, humanity can be recovered, and a society where everyone can live with a higher standard of living can be accomplished.
"Elevator Exchange Mechanism" by Benjamin Newland
Elevator Exchange Mechanism is a concept for a site specific financial trading game based at the famous glass lifts of the Lloyd’s Building. 4 people, representing the 4 most traded currencies, would be positioned in 4 adjacent lifts in the Lloyd’s building.The currencies in the lifts would be within sight of public space at the Leadenhall Market, which would become the ‘trading floor’.
The ‘traders’ on the ‘trading floor’ would buy and sell currencies via SMS text message,whilst the value of a currency would correspond to the level of the lift.
The people in the lift would receive the text messages from the traders and select a floor higher if they had been bought, and lower if they had been sold.
This would complete a feedback loop to model that of a financial market.
Non-players who inadvertently travelled on the lift would replicate random unpredictable market events.
"Fourfootfalls" by Matthew Plummer-Fernandez
Fourfootfalls - temporary installation for the ink dispensing machine at Selfridges, London. March - April 2009.