There were lots of speeches and ceremonies, but the best part was the music. In the beginning (after the choir sang the national anthem) we had the classical music in various forms. There the students have been struggling with a totally different culture, even physical understanding etc. The best part and the most popular with the audience was in the end, when students working with traditional instruments and music started to shine. Here is a simple cut video that documents the building of cresendo to the finale with proper Mozambican Marabenta. I put this here for information and really to document the event for later dates.

I wonder how we are going to deal with the cultural differences in our ISAC. My hope is of course that the students and teachers can develop their own cultural roots in design blending together the long and prosperous tradition of recycling, local materials etc with modern technology and innovation.

And because we report, others get to know. Here is a small newsflash in the Icelandic media (Morgunbladid) about our work here in Maputo about the new ISAC academy. The photo shows us with Victor Sala, the director of EVAV and a member of the preparation committee for the new school.

“Here is a senior project at Savannah College of Art and Design. Where my idea comes from is that every time when I am busy, I feel that I am not fighting with my works, I am fighting with those post-it notes and deadline. I manipulating the post-it notes to do pixel-like stop motion and there are some interactions between real actor and post-its.

My better part, Sóley, tells me often off and mostly for things related to philosophizing, theory, design and things about the world in general, rather than her telling me off for practical household issues. She is right in saying that I jump too fast to conclusions, – a very masculine thing to do like when Alexander cut the knot rather than trying to unwind it. She also tells me off for joking too much in my lectures and blogs, saying that people think me ignorant and arrogant, because they do not realize that I am joking rather than posing arguments that I find ridiculous. An example might be that I might admire something cultural since I find it so incredibly stupid and think all people realize that it is so.

Of course I agree with her that I have to be cautious in my expressions, but at the same time I still prefer to be seen as stupid or ignorant rather than not expressing myself. My thoughts go to Platon (not comparing myself though) tragically writing down philosophy that he knew would be used against the fundamental wisdom for the utility of simple folk. Something Socrates never did and died for his opinions.

But the dilemma is the ‘White Sheet of Paper Syndrome’ that we who have been in design education for long know so well. Students so sicerely want to do well that they dare not draw a line on the white sheet. Here in Maputo we, for example, produced sketchbooks for Soley’s students trying to introduce the use of the sketchbook diary as a tool for working (see different blog) and they started to draw on separate sheets before filling in and transferring into the books. I will continue to adhere to the idea that I write and express my opinions. Here are some reasons:

a) to say someting is better than being silent, since it allows others to use it if it might be of use

b) to say something is good for those that disagree with me so they know what I mean and can not make up opinions that I do not have. (During the many years that I have blogged I have only received aggressive comments from anonymous people, probably previous design students or friends trying to be funny).

c) saying something might help people to make up their own opinions, for example that they do not like what I mean.

d) to say nothing is boring and life is to short

We have settled fairly well in Maputo now. We have a flat in the dead center of town, very close to ENAV, the school that Soley works in. This means we walk back and forth all the time for practical things. We work a lot at home, having set up contacts and a table on the balcony so that one of us can sit there and the other at this desk that Alexander and his mates made for us out of the local straw (palha). Soley also has tutorials with the final year students here at home, which makes work easier for her not waiting and some not turning up.

Now, we have got better internet after changing the service provider and our wireless from Oslo works quite well. So, this picture shows our present office, where we work on the macs for our various projects. Anything from social operations through design, bookmaking and to arhitectural projections. The capulana on the white wall is there to give the modernistic white flat some colour, we also painted one wall blue to give us some backdrop, the fan is installed to make life bearable some days.

All in all, this is a fine office space without any comforts of modern office furniture. It might not treat our bodies well, but then we just have to remember to stand up often enough.

This is what we are told, through life, especially at young age. Is this really true? Quitting is only for loosers. Well, the theory says otherwise. Recentlty I bought the new book by the American economist John P. Kotter named: A Sense of Urgency. One of the revelations that I got from that book was his reference to the fact that those people that get things done, that make things happen are usually people that are good at ignoring the things that do not matter for their task. To see beyond the detail. Those that are good at forgetting the unimportant things. In my expeirence this is so true! It is important not to get bogged down in detail when projects have to move on. Forgetting is fundamental to creativity – total recall is only something that machines can do, and they are not creative.

Now Kate and Hege have ponted to me an article about quitting that I like. It is in the New York Tmes and the title is: Winners Never Quit? Well, Yes, They Do. At least this article comforts me, because in my life I have quit four safe and good jobs to move on to new pastures. Hopefully this does not stamp me a looser, and maybe I can feel a winner. Time will tell and not me. My companions have every time been surprised that I am leaving the job, but I have thought it worth it to do more things. The article and the book are good. To be recommended.

.

Facebook, Origo, Myspace, Twitter, social media has become fundamental in running projects with many actors. It is a new way to link to distant people, we are connecting back to earlier collaborators and schoolmates.  Capitalism thrives on the activities of normal people and there is in my opinion a battleground of things being puched at us and loops and closure possibilities for us to discard it. It basically reminds me of walking through a bazar where the whole world is available, being pushed at you and one’s ability to hold focus while walking and browsing.

Ravit Lichtenberg has here an interesting picture of how things might change in 2009.

In Iceland 2009 is starting beautifully , lots of excitement and great possibilities! Please wish us luck!

Here are our older sites. DORIGISLASON.COM and OLDER DOGS SITE

 Here are pictures from Fogo

I absolutely loved it there and just long to buy one of these little houses. The nature and the houses and stages are beautiful and so many interesting details in this quite simple style and small scale villages. I was there to help out my friend Elisabet who is moving there for a very exiting job in the Shorefast foundation. Elisabet had to finish of her work in Norway so I was a “babysitter” for her boys Einar and Jon Kolbeinn that are 13 and 17 year old absolutely great boys. I met extremely nice and open people that let you feel as one of them from day one. I miss everyone and the island and will most definitely go there again and take Dori and Andri with me.