The Power of Materiality: Exploring Immobility and Dissent in Today's Society

Materiality is a concept that holds immense power in our society. Whether we realize it or not, the physical objects and spaces around us shape our experiences, beliefs, and even the way we dissent. In a world that is becoming increasingly digital, understanding the significance of materiality is more important than ever.

The Immobilizing Effect of Materiality

Our physical surroundings have the ability to restrict our mobility and limit our opportunities for dissent. Take, for example, the design of public spaces. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, urban planners often create environments that discourage protest or public gatherings. From the placement of benches to the lack of gathering spaces, these design choices can shape our behaviors and confine our potential for dissent.

The Design Politics of the Passport: Materiality, Immobility, and Dissent

by Mahmoud Keshavarz (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

FREE

Furthermore, the belongings and possessions we accumulate throughout our lives can also hold us back. Our attachment to material possessions can create a sense of immobilization, making it difficult to break free from societal norms and challenge the status quo. The pursuit of material comfort and security can often overshadow our desires for change and progress.

The Subtle Language of Materiality

Material objects speak a language of their own. They communicate our identities, beliefs, and values to the world around us. Our choice of clothing, for example, can signal our affiliations and allegiances. The gadgets we carry and the brands we endorse can signify our social status and priorities. In this way, materiality becomes a tool for both conformity and dissent.

Moreover, materiality also molds our perception of reality. The objects and spaces we interact with on a daily basis shape our understanding of the world. Consider the difference between browsing a museum exhibition online and physically immersing yourself in the artwork. The physicality of museums adds depth and richness to our experiences, offering a sense of connection and engagement that cannot be replicated digitally.

Dissent in the Digital Age

In an increasingly digital world, the form and nature of dissent have evolved. While physical protests and demonstrations still hold power, the internet and social media platforms have become powerful tools for mobilizing and expressing dissent. The digital realm allows voices to be amplified, connections to be made, and movements to be formed across vast distances.

However, it is important to recognize that digital dissent also has its limitations. The intangible nature of the online world can sometimes dilute the urgency and impact of protests. A hashtag may momentarily trend on Twitter, but how does that translate into tangible change? The immateriality of digital spaces can make it challenging to mobilize individuals beyond the realm of social media.

The Power of Physicality: Reclaiming Material Spaces for Dissent

Amidst the proliferation of the digital realm, there is a growing need to reclaim and reshape material spaces for dissent. By design, physical spaces have the ability to evoke emotions, inspire connection, and foster collective action. Parks, plazas, and public squares have historically served as stages for protests and demonstrations, allowing individuals to come together and actively challenge the status quo.

Additionally, the utilization of art and creative interventions can be a powerful tool for instigating change. Street art, guerrilla installations, and temporary interventions in public spaces can disrupt the mundane and provoke critical thought. Art has the ability to transcend language barriers and touch individuals on a deep emotional level, sparking conversations and inspiring action.

Materiality, immobility, and dissent are intricately interconnected. The physical objects and spaces that surround us wield immense power, shaping our behaviors, beliefs, and opportunities for dissent. As we navigate an increasingly digital world, it is crucial to recognize the importance of materiality in our lived experiences.

By reclaiming and reshaping material spaces, we can actively challenge the status quo and foster collective action. The power of materiality extends beyond aesthetics and functionality; it is a force of change and disruption. Embracing the potential of materiality and leveraging it in our pursuit of progress will allow us to redefine the ways in which we engage with the world around us.

The Design Politics of the Passport: Materiality, Immobility, and Dissent

by Mahmoud Keshavarz (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

FREE

The Design Politics of the Passport presents an innovative study of the passport and its associated social, political and material practices as a means of uncovering the workings of 'design politics'. It traces the histories, technologies, power relations and contestations around this small but powerful artefact to establish a framework for understanding how design is always enmeshed in the political, and how politics can be understood in terms of material objects.

Combining design studies with critical border studies, alongside ethnographic work among undocumented migrants, border transgressors and passport forgers, this book shows how a world made and designed as open and hospitable to some is strictly enclosed, confined and demarcated for many others - and how those affected by such injustices dissent from the immobilities imposed on them through the same capacity of design and artifice.