As
part of Design Manchester 13, I was asked to sit on a panel to discuss the
implications of the Second Industrial Revolution. (As you can tell, I'm not
sure which Industrial Revolution this is, but that's besides the point.)
I
wrote a few words, which as I thought about them, raised more questions than
answered them. However, they are a useful starting point for lectures I'm
giving this month at the Parson's School of Design in New York and at the
Norwegian Crafts conference in Oslo.
Second
Industrial Revolution, DM13 Manchester School of Art. 30.10.13
Here
we are at the beginning of an exciting new Industrial Revolution and there is
an opportunity not only to make things that were previously impossible, but
also to right some of the wrongs of the previous Revolution.
Before
the First Industrial Revolution, the way things were made was essentially by
craft production; the local potter would make earthenware for the kitchen and
dairy; the blacksmith would make and repair tools for the garden and the farm.
Architecture
was essentially vernacular, as materials were obtained locally and buildings
were shaped by the limitations of stone, slate and wood.
Regional
styles developed in response to local needs and were refined over time,
producing architecture and artefacts that we now value for their simplicity,
their truth to materials and their ecological impact.
I’m
not trying to paint a rose-tinted picture of life before 1760; it was grim up
north for the majority of the population. The Industrial Revolution improved
standards for a section of society, however, I think we would all agree that
life since then wasn’t and still isn’t a bed of roses for everyone.
And
we are now facing the ecological backlash of 250 years of progress.
This
time around, things might be different.
My
particular interest is the creation of art craft and design using new and
emerging digital technology. It allows me to make objects impossible to produce
when I was a production potter. 3-D printing has enabled me to unleash my
imagination and create artworks that challenge the definitions of art, craft
and design.
But
3-D printing isn’t just about making beautiful, bespoke objects. It holds far
more potential.
With
3D printing, ideas can be transformed into objects without the need to produce
costly moulds and tooling. The only way manufacturers can justify that sort of
expense is by manufacturing in large volumes. In our revolution, batch
production and the one-off are ways forward, whether it’s a personalized light
fitting or a replacement knee. Customisation and individualisation are not only
possible but to be encouraged as an enhanced sense of ownership must mean that
the product is likely to be cherished more than an off-the-shelf, generic
version.
And
the Internet allows for distributed manufacture. So, we don’t need shiploads of
identical products crossing the oceans. Instead, you could cycle down to your
21st century version of the local blacksmith (perhaps now renamed as
a Codesmith) to collect your freshly printed stuff. Or, make it at home on your
own printer.
Another
advantage over traditional reductive processes is that there is far less waste
in Additive Manufacturing, as leftover material is re-used.
And
this time the technology isn’t in the hands of an elite minority. Tinkers and
hackers are busy stripping down, re-jigging the technology, and making it
accessible to a wider community of makers.
This
all sounds rosy, doesn’t it? If I was little less positive and little more
sceptical I might be describing the risks to our revolution, from vested
interests through to nasty and dangerous applications.
This
revolution is still at a very early stage, but if it is going to make a
positive difference we need to encourage widespread innovation.
We
need a 21st century version of the Lunar Society, meeting by the
full moon not only to discuss the technology, but the social implications as
well.
Perhaps
they could write a manifesto? It could go something like this:
1. Cloud computing will put
tools into the hands of the proletariat.
2. 3D printing will
democratize design; everyone will be a designer.
3. All data will be open source.
4. Hacking of technology will
not be a criminal offence.
I’m
sure you could all think of a few more.
Long Live the Revolution!