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Aesthetic memories
The Art of artificial design: Blurring the line between reality and imagination
In a world not too different from our own, a society was gripped by aesthetic poverty and facing a melancholy destiny. Once crafted with care and artistry, toys that embodied a language of aesthetics were now deprived of the materials we know and love. Instead, they were composed of a peculiar substance, a lifeless amalgamation infused with cold chemicals that altered their appearance and texture. These playthings embodied a sterile machine aesthetic devoid of warmth and character. They were designed with a singular purpose in mind: utilitarian functionality. The notion of bringing joy, amusement and an aesthetic judgment to children had been callously abandoned, leaving behind a haunting emptiness that permeated the lives of the young ones.
The transformation of toys came about as a result of a scientific breakthrough. The prevailing belief was that children should be engaged in activities that fostered learning, skill-building, and efficiency. Thus, the new toy material was conceived, which evoked a sense of practicality and functionality rather than eliciting wonder and excitement.
Gone were the vibrant hues and soft textures that had once adorned playthings. The toys of this era had a sterile and uniform appearance, lacking the charm and diversity of their predecessors. Instead of being crafted to ignite a child’s imagination, these objects served only as tools to instruct and prepare young minds for a world fixated on productivity.
However, there was an unforeseen consequence to this transformation. The chemical composition of these toys rendered them incredibly fragile. Their synthetic bodies deteriorated rapidly, succumbing to wear and tear quickly. As a result, the children’s interaction with these toys became ephemeral, with playthings entering the realm of obsolescence all too soon.
What was supposedly taught, and the anticipated memories were as fleeting as the materials that held the lessons. Once a toy had reached the end of its short lifespan, it lost all functionality and purpose. There was no hope of repair or revival, for the…
