A Nervous Nap
On Expanding the Field in Design

This publication is a mature statement, given the non-existent discussion about the nature of design in Poland where the dream of "catching up" and "outrunning" international design is stronger than critical thought on the multiplication of objects/products.

An object is useful if it can be used. Yet, at the same time it has to be emancipated, free from the restraining chains of ownership and the burden of economic value. The imagination of artists-designers is thus focused on the image of museums transformed into functional common rooms and stores with exorbitantly priced items of snobbish design changed into workshops where adults and children together test new prototypes and abolish the boundaries of labour, fun and education. Obviously, it would result in the ultimate abolishment of disciplinary restraints, in order for scientists to share their knowledge with artists and renounce their pride by appreciating the knowledge delivered by amateurs and enthusiasts. The dream of this blatant unification has not been fully explained, though. Many times did we wake up just before it came to an end, before the closing credits appeared against the background of a merry and cheering crowd of workers, artists, urbanists, children and scientists. For so long have we only had brief, nervous naps instead of getting a proper sleep?" Sebastian Cichocki (Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw)