(Archive) Over mening valt niet te twisten

Beginning

This year, I completed my studies as a designer at the AKV St Joost Art Academy in 's-Hertogenbosch. Throughout my education, I've been passionate about societal matters, political differences, and groups within society that deserve more attention. My projects often center around addressing injustices, sparking discussions, raising awareness, and ultimately fostering positive change. This inspiration can stem from everyday events or more significant societal problems, questions, or themes.

I observed in my surroundings and beyond that our present-day society is seeking connection more than ever. However, polarization appears to be deepening its roots in our community. Whether it's political beliefs, religious perspectives, or social concerns, the gap between people is becoming larger and more intricate. This is a universally felt challenge, yet finding effective solutions remains elusive. In light of this, I chose to focus on bringing people together and combating the growing divide as the core foundation of my graduation project.

Design Concept

People often see polarization as something that happens only between groups with different interests or views, but the truth is, it mostly shows up in our everyday conversations. As a designer, my goal is to help people realize their own role in this and create awareness. By understanding the growing polarization, we can begin building connections and promoting open conversations and empathy.

My focus was on public spaces. So, in my design process, I wanted to involve the people who would be using it. I went out and talked to people, asking them about issues they face and listening to their needs. This gave me insights and helped me plan the next steps. The main focus of my research shifted to the missing interactions in public spaces. I found a solution in the well-known game of Twister. I replaced the colors with different topics that could spark polarization, like: social/capitalism, monoculture/diversity, or gender-neutral/man or woman.

Application

This game is mobile and can be set up in any public area. The topics are laser-cut into templates and applied to the ground using chalk spray. Over time, the game naturally fades due to both playing and weather. The game's rules are explained through text around the frame, capturing its core idea. As the game leader, your role is to spin the spinner and ask players a question starting with words like 'what,' 'where,' or 'which.' For instance: what matters to you, where does your frustration come from, or which things cause fear? Based on the question, players take a physical and symbolic 'stance' by standing on a topic. This initiates discussions about choices, with the goal of understanding each other's perspectives rather than convincing one another.

This game holds potential because the topics and subjects can be adjusted to suit specific groups. It can be placed in certain spots or neighborhoods for targeted enhancements.