Far From Equilibrium - Sanford Kwinter

Far From Equilibrium: Essays on Technology and Design Culture by Sanford Kwinter has been mostly gracing the top of my desk (having been fully read) for the past few months. I have had a hard time coming up with a responsible way to synthesize my thoughts on the collection as the writing topics are typically so varied and well researched/thought out that I had to read it a few times to feel comfortable. I have been lugging it around in my backpack, with the promise of letting a friend borrow it, for the last couple of weeks however I find my enjoyment of the introduction itself truly frightening. To the point that I feel guilty for reading it. I shake my head vigorously, "Yes!" I think to myself, "criticism, good criticism is severely lacking and most of society feels better off for it, possibly due to fear or guilt of honesty". I mean, how in this day and age, can you not agree with a criticism on the lack of good solid criticism? How can one expect to improve without it? How can a movement, a design theory, a process or a designer expect to quickly grow if not to hear or witness responses to their designs?

Enough on the criticism though, the collection itself is a series of loosely arranged essays spanning the past two decades over a series of topics, mostly criticism of contemporary (or avant garde if one is comfortable using such a term) architecture and exhibitions, along with some forays into theory. Written in the language of a designer, it is playful and precise, darting through movements and upending intent with the skillful hand of someone who thinks they know the way out and is willing to go it alone but is offering compatriots a chance for salvation if they explore together.

Interjected into the essays is a series of foldouts (images and essays) which at times I admit confused and befuddled me until I stopped trying to think so linearly and got down to the serious task of reading the darn thing.

From the textured cover to the staggered typeface used to set the cadence of the essays I found the detail spent deliriously wonderful. This is bookmaking at its best, the contents just add to the enjoyment.