The project focuses on the exploration of people's imaginaries
for the year 2050 in Northern Scandinavia. Through collaborative
discussions of the concept of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) they
have developed their own visions for the location where they live
and/or grew up.
"My goal is not to create neat roadmaps or action suggestions,
but rather to express the feelings and desires of the people who
live in the region and anticipate a future in which carbon care
work is a reality. I believe it's critical to involve people
locally to discover how they can lead this process", says Oliver
Weglinski.
Oliver Weglinksi
exploring alternate futures during the ideation phase of his
project.
Removing carbon from the atmosphere is a techno-social endeavor
entangled with complex social, cultural, political, and economic
factors. Through collaborative speculative workshops, various
participants were able to express their desires, dreams, and
ambitions about the future of carbon care work. Their ideas were
then translated into visual artifacts and interactive experiences,
in the form of an exhibition. These artifacts tell fictional every
day, non-hero stories of human and non-human characters who might
exist in the carbon care future.
Future snapshots and prompts for debate
One part of the concept is a video installation showing
participants telling these imagined characters' stories in their
own words. The artifacts serve as future snapshots of the
character's life and at the same time they form a system map that
connects the various components of the entire carbon care work
system. These could then be used to serve as prompts for public
debate.
Part of Oliver's mission is to facilitate
future debates through imagined artifacts and potential
scenarios.
Last year, Oliver experienced the UID22 event online due to the
Covid-19 pandemic. This year is the first time he is present on
site, with the added bonus of presenting his project on stage
before a guests from the global design community.
"It was quite a tangible experience being here and presenting my
project on stage. I have been able to connect with a lot of
interesting people which has led to great conversations", says
Oliver.
Oliver presenting
his project during the UID22 Design Talks & Degree
Show.
Umeå
- An open and progressive city
According to Oliver, there are many opportunities in Umeå to do
what one is interested in. He describes his journey in the
Interaction Design Programme as a two-sided coin, on one hand one
needs to really be good at organising oneself and finding one's
path. On the other hand, failure is most likely included and should
be considered as a part of the process. But still, the journey is
well worth doing, not least because of the opportunity to meet with
all the inspiring people working in the industry.
Oliver Weglinski's
exhibition space at the UID22 Degree Show.
"I would really recommend this school to everyone. A lot of
design schools in Europe are very competitive and focused on the
things that the industry is asking for, but UID offers a bit more",
Oliver says.
In Umeå you get to be part of an environment that is social and
collaborative and, according to Oliver, you unlearn a lot of the
more toxic things that you may have been taught in other places.
You get well equipped to push the positive things forward and to
bring them back to the industry. Another thing Oliver really likes
about Umeå is how easy it is to create strong bonds with other
people.
"I think it is the community aspect that makes the city so
special. You have a lot of places to meet up with your friends and
you spend a lot of time with them, that creates strong bonds.
Another thing that makes the city special is the closeness to
nature, it's always within reach in a few minutes. On top of that,
Umeå is a very open and progressive city", says Oliver.
