The importance of local resources in times of economic hardship By Federica Dal Falco The core concept in the lecture is that there is an analogy between biological evolution and the evolution of materials and objects. The investigation of 1930s Italian design and material culture embraces this idea and expands on the following points: - The importance of exploiting local resources and innovating with products in times of economic hardship. - The analogy between the ‘green economy’ and the ‘economic autarky’ in Italy from the early 1930s onwards. - The cyclical process in which types of objects that stand the test of time are continually given fresh, contemporary shapes thanks to the use of innovative materials. The period of autarky in Italy is a topical case study, and this is demonstrated with examples of architecture, design and the many inventions that were born out of necessity. As a result of the economic sanctions imposed by the League of Nations in 1935 in response to the war in Ethiopia, fossil fuels were scarce in Italy and the situation was extremely critical. Due to the circumstances and the influence of highly objectionable ideological outlooks, some radical economic policies were introduced. In the firm conviction that autarky would revitalize and strengthen the country, new and substitute materials were produced to cater to the requirements of the modern era, using natural resources and recycling. Stones, sand, bauxite and plant and agricultural products were transformed into goods such as coatings for outdoor and indoor use, glass, bars of light alloys, and yarn for clothes and furnishings. Energy savings were made by converting wine into alcohol to fuel engines, waste disposal systems aimed to recycle as much as possible, and everyday life was full of other inventions during the period of autarky and the subsequent war: all of this provides food for thought for the design field in times of crisis. It is necessary to reject unbridled consumerism in favour of a sustainable approach that shows awareness of the limited resources on the planet, with design that intelligently exploits local potential to respond to human needs with simple, basic output.

The importance of local resources in times of economic hardship / DAL FALCO, Federica. - STAMPA. - (2012). (Intervento presentato al convegno Lisbon Design Meetings. Design, crisis and aftermath tenutosi a Lisbon nel 13 february 2012).

The importance of local resources in times of economic hardship

DAL FALCO, Federica
2012

Abstract

The importance of local resources in times of economic hardship By Federica Dal Falco The core concept in the lecture is that there is an analogy between biological evolution and the evolution of materials and objects. The investigation of 1930s Italian design and material culture embraces this idea and expands on the following points: - The importance of exploiting local resources and innovating with products in times of economic hardship. - The analogy between the ‘green economy’ and the ‘economic autarky’ in Italy from the early 1930s onwards. - The cyclical process in which types of objects that stand the test of time are continually given fresh, contemporary shapes thanks to the use of innovative materials. The period of autarky in Italy is a topical case study, and this is demonstrated with examples of architecture, design and the many inventions that were born out of necessity. As a result of the economic sanctions imposed by the League of Nations in 1935 in response to the war in Ethiopia, fossil fuels were scarce in Italy and the situation was extremely critical. Due to the circumstances and the influence of highly objectionable ideological outlooks, some radical economic policies were introduced. In the firm conviction that autarky would revitalize and strengthen the country, new and substitute materials were produced to cater to the requirements of the modern era, using natural resources and recycling. Stones, sand, bauxite and plant and agricultural products were transformed into goods such as coatings for outdoor and indoor use, glass, bars of light alloys, and yarn for clothes and furnishings. Energy savings were made by converting wine into alcohol to fuel engines, waste disposal systems aimed to recycle as much as possible, and everyday life was full of other inventions during the period of autarky and the subsequent war: all of this provides food for thought for the design field in times of crisis. It is necessary to reject unbridled consumerism in favour of a sustainable approach that shows awareness of the limited resources on the planet, with design that intelligently exploits local potential to respond to human needs with simple, basic output.
2012
Lisbon Design Meetings. Design, crisis and aftermath
04 Pubblicazione in atti di convegno::04d Abstract in atti di convegno
The importance of local resources in times of economic hardship / DAL FALCO, Federica. - STAMPA. - (2012). (Intervento presentato al convegno Lisbon Design Meetings. Design, crisis and aftermath tenutosi a Lisbon nel 13 february 2012).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/448640
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