DataSculpture: Financial Footprint – Hochschule Luzern, Design & Kunst
DataSculpture: Financial Footprint
Hochschule Luzern, Design & Kunst
Inspiration for this project was provided by the location of the Old Botanical Garden UZH, which is in the immediate vicinity of Paradeplatz. The data sculpture makes it possible to experience and witness the influential role played by the financial center in relation to Switzerland's carbon footprint.
“Money is not something you talk about” is not only a common saying, it also proves to be a fact time and again. When we discuss how to make our lifestyles more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint, the focus is usually on topics such as nutrition, clothing, or transportation. Money is rarely mentioned, despite its immense influence.
“Activities driven by the Swiss financial center cause twenty times Switzerland’s “territorial” greenhouse gas emissions – or over 2% of global emissions,” writes Climate Alliance Switzerland. But how much is that exactly? And on what figures are such statements based?
16 students from the bachelor’s degree programs Data Design+Art and Object Design have investigated these questions with the aim of making the immense influence that Switzerland, with its financial center, has on the global climate visible and tangible. The resulting data sculpture resembles a cloud, with its closed and open cubes pointing to the ambiguous nature of the data. Additionally, visitors can use an analog augmented reality instrument to glimpse alternative sustainable scenarios, which are superimposed on the sculpture. Located at the highest point of the old botanical gardens, where the view extends all the way to Paradeplatz, the installation reminds us that how we invest our money does matter. Whether it is our private assets, pension funds, or major financial institutions, it is time to finally discuss money.
The following students contributed to the project “DataSculpture: Financial Footprint”: Fabia Anina Cozatti, Sebastian Erb, Kerim Ergül, Noelia Giger, Timo Hänni, Sina Joller, Aris Kienast, Alexandra Kubli, Keshia Soukeyna Leconte, Said Nagschbandi, Mia Alina Pradal, Luca Signorini, Anastasia Sorokoumova, Nada Stevic, Annina Weiss, Nadine Werner, Timothy Leopold Widmer.
Lecturers: Isabelle Bentz (Director of Data Design+Art), David Colombini, Christoph Schindler (Director of Object Design), Christof Sigerist.
Photos: Matthias Pfammatter
Project partner: Asti Rösle, Climate Alliance Switzerland
➝ Go to Website Data Design + Art
➝ Go to Website Objektdesign
Curators’ Comment
The term “climate crisis” encompasses long-term changes: shifting temperatures, precipitation levels, and ocean currents. Switzerland has ratified the Paris Agreement and committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. The climate youth, generations of young people concerned and aspiring for change, influence our perception, highlighting the urgency of societal and economic transformation. Students from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Design & Art, also reference the climate agreement in their project, showcasing the profound impact of financial flows from private and state investments originating in Switzerland. Instead of abstract reports and figures, an installation makes our actions visible and comprehensible. (Andreas Saxer)
Questionary
What does your workplace look like?
At the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Design & Art, we work in spacious rooms in direct vicinity of the workshops.
How would you describe your style?
Our style is science-based and transdisciplinary.
Which topics do you deal with in your work?
We engage with phenomena of the present in order to understand the future.
What changes are you currently experiencing in the design world?
We emancipate ourselves from industrialization while AI intervenes in more and more areas. Critical thinking and sustainable action are at the center of our design practice.
What does a normal design process look like for you?
What is normal? We continuously redefine our process.
About
Students from thirteen different bachelor's degree programs of the Department of Design & Art at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts have joined forces for the first time to develop tangible data sculptures. This was possible thanks to a transdisciplinary module offered by the two degree programs Data Design & Art and Object Design.