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Metahaven Uncorporate Identity
Edited by Metahaven (Daniel van der Velden, Vinca Kruk) with Marina Vishmidt
“Uncorporate Identity” is an anthology of Metahaven projects, ideas and models. A science fiction book about design, it describes corporate identity beyond certainty, entwined with politics, speculation and information networks. Carved out from the multipolar geopolitical spaces of the early 21st century and the paradoxical leftovers and peripheries of ancient regimes and ruined ideologies, Uncorporate Identity is at once an artistic manifesto for design under globalization and a workbook of essays, narratives and truisms investigating the ambiguous state of identity and branding today. “Uncorporate Identity” is edited by Daniel van der Velden and Vinca Kruk (Metahaven) with Marina Vishmidt and includes contributions by Boris Groys, David Singh Grewal, Vladimir Kolossov, Keller Easterling, Dieter Lesage, China Miéville, Chantal Mouffe, Pier Vittorio Aureli, Bruno Besana, Michael Taussig, Regula Stämpfli, Mihnea Mircan, Mariana Celac, Florian Schneider, Marina Vishmidt and others.
Co-published by Jan van Eyck Academie
17 x 24 cm, 6¾ x 9½ in, 608 pages, 400 illustrations, softcover (2010)
ISBN 978-3-03778-169-2, e
EUR 45.00 / USD 75.00 / GBP 45.00
"Uncorporate Identity questions the purpose and value of design in a neurotic and treacherous era of geopolitical instability." Alice Rawsthorn, International Herald Tribune
"An eye-opening and provocative book." Icon
"A sustained and multivalent investigation into the relationship between design and power, often using visual and design tactics themselves as the form of interrogation. (...) In an appropriately inside-out manner, Metahaven echo Wally Olins definition of corporate identity – 'strategy made visible' – but with an entirely opposite intent." Sam Jacob, Mute
"There hasn't been anything quite this ambitious from a design team since Bruce Mau hit his stride...Uncorporate Identity collects the critical design projects Metahaven has undertaken to date and amplifies them with new material." Rick Poynor, Creative Review
"After decades of corporate identity being reduced to logos, Metahaven has undertaken a larger project to explore identity in politics and culture, online and across borders. This expansive monograph is its own project – the transformation of a design practice into a research laboratory and think tank. An important book." Design Observer
"An important status report for design in the contemporary context (…) Metahaven’s book will be a strong contender for either the sexiest thing in your library carrel or the smartest thing in your beach bag." Alan Smart, Abitare
"One of the most innovative design studios in Europe." Süddeutsche Zeitung
"One of the most radical groups of designers in Europe (…) Metahaven use a research-based, speculative 'meta-design' practice to rethink the structural parameters and channels through which emerging organizational models and political paradigms inadvertently stumble upon a form of communication." Kaleidoscope
"manic and spell-binding"... "the visual forms that emerge in this speculation are fairly astounding: passports printed with cuneiform, bar codes that extrude into architectural space, postage stamps of mirrors and satellites, a national flag composed only of a field of gray, a monopoly board game that imagines the Parisian banlieues." Design Issues