Critical Zones: Ornamenta Research Trip, Karlsruhe

In a time of depleting natural resources, overstretched social and political systems, and an excess of information there are a number of urgent reasons to reimagine the world around us. During our research trip to ZKM and HfG in Karlsruhe, the Ornamentor curators and a diverse group of specialists and members of the public looked to identify some of the crucial questions we seek answers to. Henriette Waal opened up proceedings in her talk about (...). Nadine Bothas asked why do design? What is Design for? A topic explored in School of Schools. While Studio Pointer* attempts to design interactions and tap into new potentialities in the media landscape that surrounds us. Whatever the answer(s) we were given, it was clear that finding the questions that allow us to enter the realm of criticism are key to developing the practical tools to cope with the challenges we are faced with in today's ever-shifting world.