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“All things equally exist, yet do not exist equally”

In the eyes of some influential philosophers we would live without a higher power, no god or world. This means that every object, big or small, is equally an object. Nothing can evolve into a ‘better’ or ‘superior’ version of themselves. This is theory is the core of ontology, a study about being. Dust has the same value as gold, and we have the same value as trash. We live in a world where we work very hard to be noticed or praised. This is of course not wrong, but does cause the question: are we all equally being? Is president Trump in any way ‘being’ more than a hairdresser? In the study of ontology philosophers believe there is no one and nothing better at being. So although we don’t have the same positions, income, status, etc. we are equally being. Bogost asks the participant to actively view the living and non-living as equals, and thereby approach them not only from a human perspective. “Bogost and other object-oriented ontologists encourage us to consider perceiving objects as things, rather than filtering our perception of things through human experience.” [1]

In my project I am trying to offer graphic designers a new printing material, in specific to 3D print with. Salt is used for spiritual reasons and for cooking, but not normally used as a building material.

I believe that in the time and place we live in today, we are starting to look for more sustainable materials and even more temporary materials. We usually like things to be forever. That’s why materials like plastic have been so popular. They exist forever. All these ‘forever object’ are now on our streets, in our oceans and even inside the bodies of our animals. I believe there is such beauty in temporary art and design. I want my work to be memorable and meaningful. This doesn’t mean my works have to exist forever. They just have to be designed in a way that people will never forget what they saw. Salt is sustainable and temporary so works perfectly for what I am trying to achieve.
I would like to use my insights on ontology as an add-on for my project. The theory of ontology could be applied to everything, because it includes everything and everyone. Besides the fact that I really like the concepts described by numerous philosophers, I think that ontology could be very valuable to many more designers.

As described in Kameron Sanzo’s New Materialism(s) article [2], the attitude that needs to be used when working within ontology could lead to more experimentation. This is of course very useful for every designer and artist.

To go even further in depth about the values of ontology. Materials interact with each other and therefore create an action.

For example: placing salt in hot water, these two materials interacting with each other causes the water to boil quicker. This is called ’metaphorism’. As many may conclude, materials interacting is called science. However, numerous philosophers believe we should not call this science or if we do, debate this statement. As Latour says: “science is forced to explain one marvel with another and that one with a third. It goes on until it looks just like a fairy tale.” [3] To explain this matter, in the theory of ontology we don’t have to explain every outcome or happening. You just let it be. This is what gives you the opportunity to work more freely and experimental. Thomas Nagel, also a philosopher mentioned in Ian Bogost’ work, add’s to this matter saying that even if we could explain certain components in the material interaction, we can not describe the experience. Physical reductionism will never be able to explain the experience of a being. [4]

For my final presentation I will have a small performance, so to say experience. I like to connect theories to the project. By giving the viewer this experience that is connected to the material, I will hopefully visualize this paper and therefore adding more value to it. I would say that I am writing this for not only myself and my own project, but mostly use my interpretations and work as a example to other students. Ontology is not only a theory, it is connected to a separate attitude and concept.

I believe that this is highly valuable for project like mine, where humans interact with materials. The living and the non-living. We humans work together, we try to contribute to each other. Treat your materials in the same way. Work with them, not against them. When looking at the affordances of your material, don’t find a way to change them but find a way to work with them. My project made me realize that my salt prints were very breakable. Instead of trying to change the salt from doing so, I found a way to use this in my advantage. Create your concept around these element.


[1][2] Kameron Sanzo, New materialism(s), (University of California, Riverside, April 2018)
[3] Ian Bogost, Alien Phenomenology, or What It’s Like to Be a Thing (Minneapolis: Minnesota Press, 2012)
[4] Thomas Nagel, What is it like to be a bat?, (Princeton University, October 1974)