Material Beliefs takes emerging biomedical and cybernetic technology out of labs and into public spaces. The project provides access to technologies that will offer new configurations of bodies and materials. How can design stimulate a discussion about the value of these new forms of hybridity?
Rather than focusing on the outcomes of bioengineering research, Material Beliefs approaches research as an unfinished and ongoing set of practices, happening in laboratories and separate from public spaces. The aim is to make labs permeable, so that non-specialists can consider the research. With this in mind, labs are opened up as sites for collaboration between scientists and engineers, designers, and members of the public.
Auger Loizeau (UK)
James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau have been collaborating as Auger Loizeau on projects since the Audio Tooth Implant concept was conceived whilst at the Royal College of Art in 2001. Post R.C.A. they worked at Media Lab Europe in Dublin as research associates. They are currently based in London and lecture at the Royal College of Art and Goldsmiths University. Current research includes collaboration with Bath University on the Material Beliefs project, and a Philips Design funded project researching the sense of smell. Their work has been published and exhibited internationally. They combine a range of disciplines including engineering, fine art and industrial design to develop products and services that contradict and question current design ideology
Tobie Kerridgeis (UK)
Tobie Kerridgeis a researcher and PhD candidate at Goldsmiths, currently contributing to collaborative projects funded by ERC and EPSRC. His research explores how design methods can be extended to provide individuals with creative ownership of technology. He is also a visiting lecturer at Goldsmiths, the Royal College of Art, and TU/e. His thesis reflects upon the novel contributions of speculative design as a method for public engagement with science and technology. The writing focuses on two practice based projects, Biojewellery and Material Beliefs. These projects were supported by the EPSRC through Partnerships for Public Engagement awards.