My PhD project, ‘Things That Might Be True’, is based on Carl DiSalvo’s concept of adversarial design (DiSalvo 2012), which differentiates between ‘design for politics’ and ‘political design’. DiSalvo defines the former as design that simplifies and streamlines people’s electoral actions and interactions with municipalities, healthcare, and the government. ‘Political design’, on the other hand, sparks debate, problematises, and suggests new ways of exploring specific themes and concepts. DiSalvo’s concept is built on Chantal Mouffe’s distinction between ‘politics’ and ‘the political’.
I set out to question DiSalvo’s dichotomy. Through practical experiments, I expanded and processed adversarial design. My goal was to challenge the prevailing ideas in society on how citizens (should) connect with their inner political lives.
My project examined how visual communication design might help devise new methods and tools for the public to approach politics, and, by extension, expand the conversation about democracy on a personal as well as societal level. Through public engagement, dialogue, discussion, and introspection, I explored ways for citizens to listen to and connect with their inner political voice.
I conducted four participatory sub-projects: the lecture series ‘Things That Might Be True’; the Voices publication; the Inner Political Landscapes collage-making workshop; and the Political Confession workshop.
The findings of these four experiments led to the development and materialisation of a fictional new department: the Stemme Department. The department's activities display the artistic outcome of my PhD project and illustrate how people can come together to reflect and engage in dialogue with their political selves. In early March 2024, the Stemme Department’s activities will be presented at Bergen Storsenter and Bergen Public Library during a four-day event, which will include an exhibition, a workshop, and lectures.
My project expanded the dichotomy of adversarial design by suggesting the concept adopt an additional category: ‘political, political design’. Through an ambiguous and empathetic design practice, this additional category would mirror and borrow characteristics from both design for politics and political design.
There are many people to thank in a PhD project. My first thanks go to main supervisor Åse Huus, a brilliant mentor who knows how to handle everything, who reads and questions, discusses and wonders, and to my second supervisor Matt Malpass, who knows everything about design theoretical concepts and the ups and downs of PhD projects.
Thanks to the Department of Design, to the Head of Department Mona Larsen, and to my colleagues. To Siv Lier, who has become an important friend during the process. Thanks to Svein-Petter Knudsen who understands how furniture is constructed and to Bjarte Bjørkum for photographic documentation.
Thanks to the assistants Hedda Halvorsen, Linda Løvheim, and Tobias Liland who contributed with time, knowledge, and enthusiasm.
In this project, several close family members have carried out crucial tasks for me. Thanks to my mom, Catharina Rundberg, who sewed everything in the project, to my dad, Tommy Rundberg, who contributed with political debate and conversations, and thanks to my father-in-law Tore Andersen, the scaffolding expert.
A big thank you to Eva Corijn who proofread (almost) every word. Thanks to all the experts who participated—Maria Pohl, David Vogt, Thomas H. Kleppestø, Bente Kalsnes, and Ida Andersen Vikøren.
Thanks to Charlotte Myrbråten at Bergen Public Library, and to Odd Rune Bjørge at Bergen Storsenter, who with great enthusiasm and curiosity allowed the Stemme Departement to move in.
A big thank you to all participants—to all the brave citizens who shared their inner, political landscapes, dilemmas and ideas. Without participants, no project.
My biggest thanks go to Mads Andersen, my partner and a fantastic designer. Who listened and discussed solutions and possibilities, and who dedicated a large part of his time to my project. The biggest thanks also go to Sonja. Thank you both for all your love and support. For play and fun.
Thank you all!