Rouse Visiting Artist Lecture: Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, "Unreal by Design"

The Rouse Visiting Artist Lecture, titled "Unreal by Design," features a presentation by design studio partners Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby. The discussion centers on the provisional nature of established concepts, drawing parallels between theoretical physics—where spacetime may not be fundamental—and evolving societal realities. Dunne and Raby explore how design practices can address a world increasingly characterized by political, scientific, and historical uncertainty, suggesting that engaging with the seemingly impossible can foster a more meaningful interaction with current challenging circumstances.

Dunne & Raby utilize design projects and writing to examine scenarios where doubt and the unknowable become prevailing norms. The lecture suggests that confronting these abstract or complex ideas through design thinking enables a deeper engagement with contemporary reality, positioning design as a tool for navigating uncertainty rather than just solving established problems in the field of speculative design.