Design Hates Hyperbole
Several days ago, Murray Moss shot off a couple of bottle rockets at New York Times critic Michael Cannell’s recent op-ed piece, “Design Loves a Depression.” In a rhetoric-heavy riposte posted on Design Observer, Moss characterizes Cannell’s (dis)missive as “regressive and mean-spirited,” contending that the design community suffers, not thrives, during times like these. Moss isn’t so far off — his is a brand and a business, after all, and his position is one of a capitalist in crisis (though I do doubt Moss is on the skids — or I hope not, at least).
Admittedly, I’ve grown a bit wary of the Moss Daily New email as of late — an object such as, say, Ted Muehling’s $370 red coral spoon reads much differently in this economic climate. (An aside: I should note that A) I am an ardent design lover; and B) I am similarly critical of the contemporary art world, in which I have a little truck.) And yet, we need a mental escape hatch from time to time; for better or worse, it may come in the form of a $370 spoon, however impractical said object may be.
Cannell made several mistakes in his assessment: The first is semantic in nature, as his headline barrels wildly toward hyperbole. Reality check: nobody loves a recession, let alone those who work in the first industries to be dismissed as frivolous when times get tough. Secondly, his position is painfully narrow, for the most part. Cannell doesn’t dismiss ingenuity outright, yet practicality is privileged as the noble pursuit. Ever lounged on Mies van der Rohe’s iconic, post-war “Barcelona” day bed? Economy: check. Chronic back pain: double check. Utilitarianism has its limits.
Historically speaking, so-called “avant-garde” developments in the arts have emerged in moments of war and depravity (see the aforementioned chaise). Why not take risks when one has nothing to lose? Why not laser-cut the living hell out of some pressed ply? On that note, though I believe his response was entirely in line and exceptionally well-articulated, Moss could have dialed it back a notch or two, if only in the interest of keeping it cool. His points will prove themselves in due time. Hell, if I hadn’t been walking my friends’ dog yesterday, I would have popped into The Future Perfect and snapped up a “Fuck the Economy” tote bag. After all, who can resist a small luxury here and there? This unemployed writer sure can’t.
+ Design Loves a Depression (New York Times)
+ Murray Moss: Design Hates a Depression (Design Observer)
