Philip Patrick Starck is, probably, one of the best of the best designers known for his mastership in patterning and reshaping everything, from a toothbrush to a spaceship. In this respect the interview given by Philip Stark to the Die Zeit newspaper catches an eye of a mature observer. The thing is that most of the points do not get through one’s mind well. Plenty of contradictions said by Starck disorient a person in what actually this designer longs for. This argument is felt throughout the whole interview. The points discovered in it touch upon the statement of Starck that “Everything he had designed is absolutely unnecessary.” It feels like insanity to state such words while being an eminent designer with the worldwide acclaim. However, most of the observers consider Starck, as a master of design who once, rather earlier, had overcome his time and people living around him. The work of the best designer is to create material things from imagination, and Starck is about to surpass such materialization of thought into something new.
I fully agree with Philip Starck in his attitude toward the art of design. His genius is in having an option to reshape reality, so that to fulfill a human eye with delight. On the other hand, Starck succeeded in making everything (natch!) better than somebody else. It is a ground to claim for his professionalism that goes along with his experience in making things changed. However strange Starck’s arguments, they disclose the vision of the artist in his deep intentions to change the world and turn humanity to the real understanding of aesthetics. When he explains that the “designer’s role is to create more “happiness” with less”, then his genuine desire becomes clear.
One of the most attractive moments in the article is when Stark explains the main attributes of a designer. Thus, he highlighted three features of character to be predominant in an artist, namely: Love – Intelligence – Humor. Such arrangement is suitable when talking about the motivation of a successful designer. It is no surprise that an artist driven by love may have stimuli for making something good for humanity. In this respect intelligence comes, as a significant practical “tool” in achieving what a person actually wants. The only missing link is a good sense of humor that prevents an artist from dissipation and despair in life. However, one should also take into account the predominance of talent or genius in a designer. As might be seen, this feature is paramount.
Creating material things from imagination, Philip Starck proved once more the idea that immaterial reality living in mind of a designer should find its continuation in new dimensions of aesthetics. This objective becomes stronger when taking into consideration the huge heritage of Starck. His genius is implied into his pure understanding of what terrifies and what pleases people in life. Aesthetic sensitivity is pursuant to every human being. Philip Starck thinks of everything that he has created as being unnecessary, because he, as a master, feels impermanence among human beings. Trends in culture and living along with fashion are not stable. That is why a designing thought, as a part of fashionable trends, can lead to its simplification. Making out such point, Starck conscientiously admits personal desire to find new ways of aesthetical implementation in peoples’ lives.
Bibliography
Tillmann Pruffer, “Die Zeit Interview with Philip Starck, Translated”, Die Zeit, 1-2.
Philip Patrick Starck, Biographical Review, 1-2.