NEW QUESTIONS: The Fluidification of Matter,
The Acceleration of Time and Production of Meaning

Enzio Manzini

With introduction of new materials societies face the issue of attaching meaning to these materials in culture. We are facing the problem of giving a social significance to new materials. Natural materials, their transformation into products, as well as production o social and cultural meaning was built up slowly throw repeated experiences, adapting to these cultures to the point when its meaning became naturalised and transparent. With introduction of radical transformations of matter into fluid matter their social importance had to be derived spontaneously. �Design was born to give meaning to the new�. The role of design became to interpret the relationships between new materials, their purpose and meaning. Nowadays design�s role is concentrated not only on giving meaning but also external aspects: influences and consequences of new designed objects. Design is concerned with environmental, socio-economic aspects. Its not only establishes identities for new materials, but also concerns with sustainability of these materials.

Traditionally, material matter restricted the number of ways it could be manipulated, the number of alternative shapes it could take. Balancing between effort and compromise �man-doing� compromised the unavoidable obligations of matter in shaping the material world around us. With the development of new technology in time, new materials were developed that are hyperplastic, hyperforming, with unique characteristics. Once matter lost its traditional characteristics, it became fluid, so it can be transformed into anything else. Therefore - �everything is possible�.

Design analyses the conditions of identification of materials, which then helps to establish their potential, meaning and significance in society. There are different concerns for design discipline in the modern technological world like planning for sustainability of materials, how to combine the potentials of these materials with environmental issues, reduce consumption of raw materials and energy, recycling, s well as how to keep these designs socially acceptable and culturally attractive.

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