Antitypes

Architecture has been used for a long time to design objects. These days, it must be concerned with relationships. It must project not unambiguous forms (compositions) but plural "contracts" between places and events (arrangements). These arrangements suggest both combinations and distributions in space, as well as flexible forms of logic [...]. Their effectiveness lies in the sound design of their operating system : the specific logic of relationship and internal combination ; articulation and infrastructure ; the mechanism of exchange and "glocal" relationship (between individual interests-local-and combined objectives-global). This hybrid and at times "anti-natural" contract, which can bring together in one and the same project differing formation codes, in fact refers to the actual division between the parties to the project and the contemporary city : twinned crystals, cuttings, grafts, and pairings are all recent-anti-compositional-illustrations which convey undisciplined, impure and indeterminate orders and "eccentric" forms (uncentered but also extreme and cursory, almost spontaneous) in continuity with the particular interpretation of a space, that of the present-day Metapolis, which can only be effectively represented by the changeable, opportunistic and unprejudiced overlay of different and differentiated layers and networks (as is the case with scanner readings and GIS maps). In a way, these contracts are "antitypes", associated with scenarios once and for all devoid of any formal typification ; antitypes in which, as in the contemporary world, different layers of movements, actions and activities overlap, no longer in the form of harmonic and coherent bodies, but of simultaneous landscapes in which "commensal" structures, forms and identities co-exist. This is how we like to see ACTAR : like a strange antitype ; a singular project issuing from the desire to bring together personalities, callings and fields of activity that are apparently diverse, but in fact linked : architectonic project and publishing project ; creation and distribution ; forward-looking action and critical eye. Dichotomies akin to others traditionally associated with the definition of the contemporary city and space (man-made/natural, urban/territorial, public/private, style/content, solid/void) ; dichotomies which have suddenly blurred the strict limits and given way to new and operative binomials or pairs. Mixed realities brought about by associations, transversalities and unexpected connections : LINKS. It is precisely this desire for linkage that explains and orders ACTAR's hybrid identity and activity, oriented towards the interpretation and treatment of a complex space, subject to new technical and phenomenological conditions-keys to a specific environment and new scales of processes occurring therein ; keys to the cultural phenomena of a thoroughly metropolitan (global) scenario, but one also attuned to the interests of the particular, the singular and the individual (local) ; keys leading to other types of arrangements based on direct forms of-disinhibited-ogic, rather than to orthodox prefigurations, to the revaluation of situations rather than to their design, and to the creation of strategies (capable of encompassing complexity) rather than to the formulation of constructions.

Manuel Gausa

Future Vision

The future is unfolding around us. Over the next decade we will be able to see all sorts of differences that we can barely imagine today.

In the Vodafone Future Vision Website you can explore what we think that future might look like, experience some of the changes we believe will happen, and tell us what you think of them.

Vodafone is working hard to mobilize tomorrow's world, but we need your input. You are our partners in innovation, helping to shape a future that offers the mobile services we want, and brings us closer to the people we care about, wherever they are in the world.

Together we can build a future that turns this vision into reality.

BT Reveals Insight into the Future
In the future we could be holidaying in space while robots tend our gardens back home - according to BT's latest technology timeline.

BT's futurology department has gazed into the future to predict the technological advances that will impact our lives.

The timeline encompasses all areas of life influenced by technology developments including artificial intelligence, health and medical, business and education, demographics, energy, robotics, space, telecommunications and transport and travel.

It predicts by 2012, children could be entertained by video tiles in the bath before sitting in a playroom with wallpaper which changes to promote energy, happiness or calm. And they could even be interacting with toys that respond to their voices with matching emotions.

As beaches become more crowded and quiet corners become harder to find, BT predicts we could be holidaying somewhere above the earth's surface by 2017.

And by 2040, the timeline predicts we could get a space elevator to take us up to a moon village that will have developed by then.

BT researcher and editor of the timeline Ian Neild said: "The timeline enables organisations to design technology and products with future customers in mind, with a vision of the kind of environment they will be living in.

"Looking at the future of education or lifestyles, for example, will impact the way BT enhances and develops its broadband network."

BT Group chief technology officer Matt Bross said: "We have looked at a wide range of technologies and how these may impact on our lives in the future.

"Our futurology team has looked at both personal and professional scenarios when compiling the timeline."

Interactive Timeline
Static Timeline

http://www.spacehijackers.co.uk/html/welcome.html

http://www.mediamatic.net/artefact-11373-en.html

Cosplay: become your favourite online character

http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/