Consumerism – Before & After 2

 

Name: S. MacDonald

Remark

Future Greeters is a great satire on consumerism. It is set in a futuristic world where monopolies dominate in every sphere. It is full of wit, futuristic ideas and inventions and takes the reader on an unforgettable journey through the world postulated by its theme. A great read. Sadly only available at Lulu.com as a print on demand title.

Synopsis

“S” has discussed notions of consumerism and a monopolised future. Monopolies for arguments sake can be considered the “big” companies, obsessed with market shares of 100% at no expense. Some economies depend of this to function, some people live and dictate this. “S” may have gone either way in an ‘after’ thought. I see the change being global warming where we stuff our planet to the point where it implodes. Something like in Babel when the people became sloths and gorged on the land until its creator destroyed in. But through global warming and world destruction comes rebirth, symbolised by the earth with new life emerging.

 

 

Beautiful – Before & After 1

Name: Marilyn

Remark

My favorite book is a special edition of Lord of the Rings on Indian paper – the type they use for Bibles. It contains all three books in one volume, plus all the appendices, maps, legends, family trees and alphabets, and is no larger than your average library book. The paper and print are of a quality that makes it beautiful just to handle – and I cant remember how many times I’ve it through. Its top of my list of things to grab if a bushfire ever comes near.

 Synopsis 

I was drawn to Marilyn’s story because I can relate to an obscure love for something of quality. I understand her love of fine papers and ordered structured layouts, quality that instills beauty into an object. Mondrian is a particular favourite artist of mine. His structured, primary layouts were my inspiration towards graphic design. Thick black lines separated structured forms. The coloured squares were all painted with strokes in one direction, where the white plains were given depth through juxtaposed brush strokes.  

My image is questioning towards what might happen to Marilyn if in fact her copy of the book, with its lovely bible htin paper were to be consumed by bushfire or metaphorically, perhaps she lost hope in the future. Where would the lines be drawn? Perhaps her primary focuses may be lost and left against a blank canvas of vertical and horizontal thought.

Before & After

My personal before/after self portrait above – I’m really paying homage to the change in my design practise. In the first few years of study, I was absolutely consumed by what looked cool or ‘good looking’ design. Still am. We’ve just got to look at the factors that make a piece of design cool. Maybe instead of the look and feel we give more praise to how responsible it is…. maybe…  

World turns to renewable energy for sustainable supply

An article I found on the International Renewable Energy Conference held in Washington this week. Interesting to see how each country is tackling their energy consumption. The article was posted on a Chinese website – a huge consumer of fossil fuels.

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Xinhua) — Delegations from more than 100 countries descended on the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) Tuesday, vowing to push forward the development of renewable energy sources to combat climate change and ensure energy security.

    ”Our task is to develop the policies, incentives, and forms of international cooperation that will realize the full benefits of renewable energy in order to ensure adequate supplies of energy for all economies, large and small, in the future; to exercise responsible stewardship of the environment; and to promote continued growth of the global economy in the decades ahead,” said John Negroponte, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, at the opening of the three-day conference.

    Clean, renewable energy, such as solar power, wind and biofuels would open up “new frontiers” for industrial production, commercial interaction, and technological innovation, said Negroponte.

    Existing energy technologies cannot meet the dual requirement of satisfying the growing global demand for energy while reducing carbon emissions. Therefore, it is “imperative” that we bring to market new energy technologies that diminish our dependence on fossil fuels, he added.

    At the first ministerial-level plenary session, U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman pointed out that with the demand for energy increasing at a soaring pace, renewables are necessary to meet global energy demands.

    Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla challenged WIREC participants to consider the true potential of renewable technologies.

    By combining research and capital, there is no end to the potential of renewable energy, he said.

    On the first day of the U.S.-hosted meeting, more than 60 pledges were announced to increase renewable energy. Developed nations in Europe contributed a number of impressive commitments.

    Denmark promised to reduce the use of fossil fuels by a minimum of 15 percent by 2025; increase the share of renewable energy to at least 30 percent of energy consumption by 2025; increase energy efficiency by 1.4 percent per year for 2010 to 2025.

    Italy pledged a 55 percent tax deduction over three years for solar heating and a tax credit on heating from geothermal sources and bio-mass used for district heating. It also established an incentive fund for ultra efficient buildings.

    The Netherlands will increase the share of renewable energy to 20 percent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in 2020. The Dutch government aims to buy 100 percent sustainable products in 2010.

    A handful of African nations also volunteered substantial actions in renewable energy.

    Tanzania pledged that 1 million residents would gain access to electricity from renewable energy resources.

    Cape Verde committed to increasing renewable sources of energy to 50 percent of the market share by 2020, and to have one island running completely on renewable energy by that time.

    The first day of the conference saw an exceptionally high attendance, with nearly 3,000 participants registering for the ministerial conference. More than 100 delegations sent over 600 official delegates, including more than 100 ministers of agriculture, energy, environment.

    U.S. President George W. Bush is expected on Wednesday to address the meeting.

    This is the third such gathering after the first meeting in 2004 in Bonn, Germany, and a 2005 follow-up in Beijing, China.