Surreal dining, population decline & fur fantasy
Gen Z & Democracy
A recent Channel 4 study was misinterpreted as widespread support for dictatorship among Gen Z in the UK, but more extensive studies like the British Election Study and the World Values Survey found lower levels of support for autocratic governance. It is still a sign that Gen Z is the least likely to think we even currently live in a democracy.
Only 6% of Gen Z expressed genuine support for such a system when a more direct question about dictatorship was asked. The real issue lies not in widespread authoritarianism but in Gen Z’s disillusionment with democratic institutions that they feel are failing them. Read more here
Surreal Dining
Zabala Aitor, a protégé of José Andrés, founded the Somni restaurant in Los Angeles. Somni, which means “dream” in Catalan, has a sensual approach to luxury dining. The restaurant explores culinary freedom through a surreal, multisensory approach. Every element, from the space to the tableware to the dish pacing, is curated to create an immersive, theatrical dining experience.
The restaurant seeks to work on a no-waste basis and breaths life into well-known classics to surprise and delight guests. Zabala explained that it is not so much about innovating new things. The fine dining experience is crafted to make the unexpected unforgettable; what you taste is not what your brain says it is. See more here
Population Decline
Population decline will reshape societies, challenging economic models and social structures built on continuous growth. While some nations have tried to sustain higher birth rates through pro-natalist policies and cultural influence, others have turned demographic fears into a culture war issue tied to nationalism and opposition to feminism and women’s rights.
A sustainable future depends on shifting from market-driven competition to a cooperative model where raising children is socially supported rather than an individual burden. Inclusive systems that prioritize collective well-being must be built to navigate this future shift. Read more here
Making the Invisible Visible
Artist Lachlan Turczan will collaborate with Google again for Milan’s Design Week. Making the Invisible Visible will explore the relationship between creativity, form, and the ephemeral by turning abstract ideas, like light, into tangible, physical shapes.
As Lachlan Turczan explains, the project aims to take light and make it feel like a solid object, allowing technology to interface with nature in innovative ways. It invites viewers to experience the intersection of the abstract and the real and shows how technology and nature can coexist in new ways. See more here
Fur Fantasy
In the recent Fall/Winter women's shows, fake fur was shown in both classic and unexpected ways. While traditional coats and collars remained, designers experimented with shoes, shorts, skirts, trousers, and oversized trims made of long-haired fur.
This bold use of fur highlighted the power of creativity and self-expression. It added exaggerated texture and depth to silhouettes, proving that sustainable alternatives can embody luxury, experimentation and innovation. See more here, here and here
Hidden Manufacturing
In The Hidden World of Manufacturing, Tim Minshall takes a deep dive into the global system of manufacturing. He explores how manufacturing has influenced both society and the environment, uncovering its often-overlooked impact.
The book highlights the scale and complexity of manufacturing systems, which often go unnoticed despite being crucial to our lives. He advocates for more sustainable, local manufacturing practices, offering a glimpse into the interconnectedness of factories, logistics, and technology. He emphasizes that we must rethink our relationship with the objects and the world of manufacturing that makes them possible. Read more here