Rays of Hope
I rewatched Rams this week, Gary Hustwit's 2018 film with (and about) design icon Dieter Rams. A look back at the man's illustrious career through his own voice and presence. It's a stubborn voice but such a clear vision—of his work and where it stands, but of society as well. The potential as much as the alarming drifts.
He talks about the sale of Braun to Gillette, and how he was dead set against changing designs for the sake of marketing. A commercially unpopular concept, but one I keep returning to lately. Shouldn't companies and products be allowed to eventually reach a point of maturity? One where the focus switches from growth to sustainability? Why is success solely defined by expansion?
Dieter Rams lives in the same house he bought fifty years ago, where little of the decor has changed. There are iconic Braun objects everywhere, but they're still in use. The coffee-maker, the calculator, the wall-mounted reel-to reel tape machine. Museum pieces proudly discrediting the idea of obsolescence.
When the movie ended I was left with the same sense of hope I'd felt after my first viewing. An appreciation for the power of stillness when movement is unnecessary. It's a good watch if you get a chance.
Some Fall pics below.
Have a great weekend folks.
