Low Tech Factory

Opening exhibition and debate
Why are so many young designers making machines these days?
Hôtel Droog
March 21st, 2013
Start debate: 19.00
Opening exhibition: 20.00 – 22.00
RSVP [email protected]

What at first glance appears to be a rocking chair, turns out to be a knitting machine. And while you sit and rock on the chair, a knitted hat is created. As you do a little dance on a platform, an expandable carrying bag is made. Another spectacular machine makes popcorn—a single kernel at a time.

Low Tech Factory is a project by ECAL / University of Art and Design in Lausanne, Switzerland. In a workshop led by Chris Kabel and Thomas Kral, industrial and product design students created a series of simple but sophisticated machines that not only create an experience, but actually produce finished goods—hats, mirrors, bags, toys, lamps and popcorn.
 

With this project, the theme of auto-production is raised. Recently we have seen countless designers make their own machines. And while it often seems the machine becomes more important than the result, in this case, the design of the machine and its resulting product are in balance.

The exhibition presents six machines with videos. At the opening on March 21st, the designers will demonstrate the machines themselves. The question—why are designers making so many machines—still remains. With this question, we will enter into a debate on March 21st with Alexis Georgacopoulos, director of ECAL, Chris Kabel, the students, and several Dutch designers.