Scholze, Jana (2015) Extreme future. In: Persson, Helen, (ed.) Shoes : pleasure and pain. London, U.K. : V&A Publishing. pp. 82-91. ISBN 9781851778324

Abstract

The chapter ‘Extreme Future’ explores contemporary investigations and exploitations of material experiments, technologies, research and speculations in and around shoe design. Based on the observation that – inspired to question the place and responsibilities of design in a fast changing, technology driven world - designers are not only fascinated by material experimentation and innovative applications but the fundamental question: ‘what shoes are (for)’. Public debates around sustainability drew attention to the shortage but also limitations of natural resources. Increased mobility and especially the popularity of sports have been challenging common materials and methods in shoe design and manufacturing. The focus of material investigations is however, not only aimed at an increased variety but draws attention to innovative digital processes of fabricating and manufacturing and the development of new tools. This research examines both aspects – the new materials and their production processes - their intentions, agents, methods and results. It focuses on the conceptional qualities of those material experiments to stimulate, question, predict and speculate. In addition, this chapter reflects on the technological, cultural and social conditions that predicate but also prevent innovation. Examples examine work from designers such as Carol Christian Poell, Marloes ten Bhoemer, Alexander Taylor and Zaha Hadid who have all been interviewed during the research. This chapter demonstrates that shoe design is not only part of fashion design but needs to be considered within a wider framework of extended design practice, including product, social, speculative and critical design and even architecture and engineering.

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