'The most important factor in design is time and place' says Ai Weiwei

Design objects are a reflection of the issues humans face over time, says Ai Weiwei in this conversation between the artist and curator Justin McGuirk filmed exclusively by Dezeen for the Design Museum.

The filmed conversation took place at London's Design Museum between Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and the museum's chief curator, Justin McGuirk.
McGuirk spoke to the artist about Making Sense, Ai's first design-focussed exhibition to date, which opened last month and is on display at the museum until the end of July.

During the interview, Ai told McGuirk why he thinks the exhibition explores design in a multifaceted way.

"I think it’s a very unique show in terms of the whole topic of design," said the artist.

The exhibition, he explained, is about "how humans make definitions about our life, our memories and how our design acts relate to our past, our history and also [how they] relate to current personal issues or political issues".

[moodygirl]

I have acquainted myself with Ai Weiwei's life history, his father's poetry and his various art projects. I find the man humane, interesting in getting his ideas across, inclusive in sharing his work process and full of humor.

[narveenaryaputri]

This is brilliant : TIME AND PLACE"

[readthetype]

Depends on the definition of design. If it is something to the tune of what it means to do something “by design” (as opposed to by accident) in a “fitness for purpose” sort of way, then this definition is good, but could be simplified to *context* (instead of _“time and place.”_ The most important (and most overlooked) factor in design is a thorough understanding of context: Who is it for? What are the resources? Who is the audience? Are there any technical pragmatics? What is the desired outcome? &c…

Most designers are They are self-centered, and fancy themselves a creative genius. As such, they favour a “shoot-from-the-hip, ” aesthetic, creative, intuitive approach to problem solving, and tend to abhor a rational, objective, structured approach to problem solving.

*For further reading see:*

Ehses, H. & Lupton, E. (1988). _Design papers 5. Rhetorical handbook: an illustrated manual for graphic designers._ NSCAD University. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

[olafsager]

art is always only a part from being apart