Hirscher, M. and Posch, I. (2024). Human-material interactions as practice for care. In Proceedings of DRS. DRS2024: Boston. Design Research Society. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.903
Abstract
In this paper, we report on fields of knowledge and experiences that areaccessed through Human-Material Interaction. We describe the experiences of peoplewho worked creatively, in a process-oriented, slowly observing and exploringpractice with one material for four months, and who shared these experiences andtheir interpretations with us in interviews. Based on references to the realities oftheir lives, they shared individual narratives, which testify to an appreciative and caringapproach to the respective material and, beyond that, to the environment, society,and the respective self. In our analysis, we identify Human-Material Interactionas access to learnings, interpretations, relationships, and feelings which leads us toargue that this way of relating to the environment is a practice for care. We furtherpropose this practice as beneficial for education, sustainability, and future challenges,to promote diverse, interested, and involved perspectives.
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