Charting New Courses:
Art, Social Design, and Futures Thinking by Nicole Loeser
Art and Social Design play pivotal roles in navigating the complexities of contemporary challenges, acting as conduits for orientation and guiding sensory experiences toward novel perspectives and relationships. These creative endeavors uncover undiscovered realms, compelling the public to take transformative steps towards desirable futures. This exhibition transcends the traditional research paradigm, incorporating art as an active designer guiding exploration into uncharted territories. Art becomes a potent instrument for perception and resonance, shaping the structure and development of this journey through the artistic artifacts crafted by students from the Master’s course in Social Design and Sustainable Innovation at SRH Berlin School of Design and Communication (BSDC).
Sailing to the New Horizons
“New Horizons 2045 – Missionen für Deutschland” invites participants to embark on a journey into potential futures, exploring three distinct scenarios for Germany in 2045. In times of complexity and challenge, the envisioning and negotiation of futures become imperative, relying on imagination and technologies that aid in navigating towards probable and desirable outcomes. This exhibition extends an invitation to all to engage in the dialogue.
A collaborative effort between D2030 – Deutschland neudenken e.V. and foresight experts initiated the exhibition, introducing students to futures thinking. Over four months, students participated in future prototyping workshops, social design thinking, and speculative design methods, envisioning and interpreting scenarios inspired by the goal of achieving a climate-neutral Germany by 2045.
Social Art and Social Design by
Sondoss Elsawy
Narjess Ospina
Welcome Message
Welcome aboard this journey into the potential futures of Germany in 2045! This exhibition presents three compelling scenarios that envision the possibilities for Germany in 2045: “Radical Compromise,” “Sustainable System Changeover,” and “Eco-Liberal Transformation.” Each chapter provides a comprehensive exploration of one scenario, offering insights into its attractiveness factors, cultural change, system change, key topics in this world, prerequisites, potential conflicts, and the unique artifacts created by students.
Three Scenarios for Germany in 2045
The collaborative effort of foresight experts, students, and mentors resulted in the creation of multiple artifacts, each meticulously designed to interpret three distinct futures scenarios. They teamed up to make these scenarios clear and easy to grasp, with the overarching goal of encouraging transformative thinking and action in social, economic, and political decision-making processes.
1. Radical Compromises
Imagine a Germany that transforms itself into a sovereign economy, succeeding on world markets beyond traditional growth. Politics orchestrate jointly developed missions, fostering an opportunity-oriented and diverse society.
– Attractiveness: Tolerance, diversity, and post-growth economic model.
– Cultural Change: More meaningful activities, broad decision-making participation.
– System Change: Balanced power, resource conservation, green technologies.
Key Topics: Education accessibility, fake news detection, degrees, digital communication, Smart City 10.0, Smart Health.
Social Art and Social Design by
Aslı Soyer
Carolin Scheck
Sima Choubdarzadeh
2. Sustainable System Changeover
Germany dares to turn away from growth and competition, focusing on radical transformation with climate protection as a priority. The government acts as the key driver in this scenario.
– Attractiveness: Priority of climate protection, radical transformation, common good orientation.
– Cultural Change: Acceptance of sufficiency path, evolving values, and lifestyles.
– System Change: Government control, intensive citizen participation, global community of values.
Key Topics: Federal structured vision, effective decision making, autonomy, unconditional basic income.
Social Art and Social Design by
Radwan Awad
Yandia Miñana
Neda Mokarami
3. Eco-liberal Transformation
In a world characterized by digital value creation, Germany succeeds in its transformation to a post-industrial economic model. Companies are the key drivers, and citizens become drivers and network partners of value creation.
– Attractiveness: Intelligent combination of digitalization and sustainability, AI as an equalizer.
– Cultural Change: Enlightened citizens as drivers of change, broad availability of data.
– System Change: AI changing demands of work, changes based on personal responsibility.
Key Topics: Principle of subsidiarity, personal responsibility, global solidarity, strong sovereign economy.
Social Art and Social Design by
Sobhana Penneru
Mahshad Fallah
Laila Saud
Opening Hours
Vernissage Fri 01.03: 18:00 – 21:00
Sat to Wed: 11:00 – 20:30
Special event on March 6:
- Missions Workshop
- Futures Lounge as a hybrid event
18:30-20:00
D2030:
Klaus Burmeister, Jonas Drechsel, Dr. Alexander Fink, Beate Schulz-Montag, Hanna Rammig, Dr. Sarah Renger, Dr. Lukas Küster.
Nicole Loeser, Prof. Ricarda Wallhäuser, Prof. Betina Borchardt, Prof. Gilbert Beronneau.
Social Designers:
Radwan Awad, Sima Choubdarzadeh, Sondoss Elsawy, Mahshad Fallah, Neda Mokarami, Yandia Miñana, Narjess Ospina, Sobhana Penneru, Laila Saud, Carolin Scheck, Asli Soyer.
© 2024 All images and texts belong to D2030 – Deutschland neu denken e.V.
Credits
Nicole Loeser, curator, lecturer and supervisor of this project at SRH BSDC, facilitated a fruitful collaboration with Jonas Drechsel from D2030 for the master’s degree students in Social Design and Sustainable Innovation. Navigating the complex realm of facts and content, their mentorship including that by Dr. Sarah Renger and Dr. Lucas Küster (both D2030) played a crucial role in guiding students through the creation of meaningful artifacts. Special thanks are extended to Prof. Gilbert Beronneau from SRH BSDC for trusting in this collaboration, and to Prof. Ricarda Wallhäuser for her expertise in helping design the overall project identity. Acknowledgments also go to Klaus Burmeister (D2030) and all foresight experts for their forward-thinking approach in scenario-building for a climate-neutral Germany in 2045.
It is intended that presenting interpretations of three scenarios in the exhibition fosters exploration and community contributions to the necessary transformations. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to all students for their remarkable efforts in realizing this exhibition and making scientific futures scenarios tangible. Their engagement is truly commendable. Lastly, appreciation goes to Daniel Schnittka and Prof. Bettina Borchardt for enabling the realization of the exhibition at SRH BSDC.
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