Innovation

Stefan Agamanolis, Director of Distance Lab in Scotland talked about the “slow technology” movement at Picnic 08 in Amsterdam.
“Slow technology” movement is connected with the ”slow food” movement created in Italy 20 years ago to be against fast food.  Same movement for technology : the slow technology puts people first. Instead of speed and efficiency, slow technology emphasises the quality, locality, and humanity of the total experience.

Distance Lab is a creative research institute bringing together digital media technology, design and the arts to redefine and overcome the disadvantages of distance in learning, health care, relationships, culture and other domains.

Based on his work at MIT and Distance Lab, Stefan Agamanolis reports on hot trends in communication and connectedness.
For instance, people can do battle with distance in unexpected ways ranging from sports games (Remote Impact project) or they also can play over a distance to telephones crossed with flotation tanks (Isophone project)… More info on the other -weird ??! -projects here.

My preferred project is Solar Vintage : Elena Corchero develops a collection of fashion accessories that explores delicate ways of incorporating solar cells into textiles in which technology meets tradition. Ornate accessories like a handheld fan and a parasol are charged while used outdoors during the day. When brought indoors in the evening they transform into a decorative ambient light display for the home, powered only by energy stored earlier. 

 When creativity and fashion meet technology and renewable energy in a nice way…

By the way, Distance Lab organises a Slow Technology event on Thursday 13 November 2008 at Forres, Scotland.