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Photo: Oliver-Selim Boulam

aspect-ratio 10x9 HI-PLACE

HI-PLACE (© Lisa Ertel)

aspect-ratio 10x9 HI-RISE

HI-RISE (© Lisa Ertel)

aspect-ratio 10x9 HI-LIGHT

HI-LIGHT (© Lisa Ertel)

The Evolution of Superlatives includes the objects HI-PLACE, HI-RISE, and HI-LIGHT. Each of the three objects represents a cooperation between humans and a further element from the complex network of nature, human and machine, from which we as creators can draw.

HI-PLACE: humans featuring nature, HI-RISE: humans featuring humans, HI-LIGHT: humans featuring machine.

Pre-industrial, industrial and post-industrial artefacts will be juxta-positioned. A reflection that allows the viewer to recognize the specific nature of the cooperation becomes possible. How does the aesthetics, the handling of materials and resources, and the value of the object change? How does the control over design shift within the collaboration?

The Evolution of Superlatives tells the stories of ground-breaking visions of the past and present, a story of progress. Through the prominent differences in proportion, function and materiality, HI-PLACE, HI-RISE, and HI-LIGHT position themselves temporally and symbolically against their observer as well as other artefacts from the collection. They celebrate the qualities of various eras and protect them from becoming obsolete. They can simultaneously create impulses for new ideas and discoveries.

The objects find their formal origin in the typology of towers. The tower is an archetypal symbol that has always accompanied humans. It defines a centre that opens the door to multiple perspectives and associations. It provides orientation and protection, demonstrates power and the superlative of technical know-how of its time.
The tallest artefacts humans have ever built boldly rise up to a point in the sky, until they disappear. They represent the attempts of man to come closer to the Gods while stepping away from animals. Towers are mirrors to the epochal relationship between humans and the context in which they live. Through them, it is possible to observe how the balance between nature and culture, subject and object constantly changes, and how innovation becomes tradition.

Lisa Ertel studied Product Design and Communication Design at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. In the summer of 2019 she presented her diploma thesis "The Evolution of Superlatives".