London Design Museum’s travelling exhibition The Future Is Here will make a pitstop at RMIT Design Hub from 28 August to 11 October, 2014.

Curated by Alex Newson, the exhibition which was first shown in July 2013 brought to light the mind-boggling world of 3D printers, laser cutters, and wikihouses. It proposed that we’re on the cusp of “a new industrial revolution” where, with the aid of new technologies, the world of design, manufacturing, and distribution will be radically transformed.

Open source design makes it possible for anyone to create and share designs for any object from print-your-own wedding rings to downloadable houses. The increased availability of 3D printers mean that anyone can make their own objects (and customize them too) without expensive tooling or a factory. This is the proposed “future” and as the title suggests, it’s already here. Many of these technologies have existed (in the tech world) for a long time, for example, the star of the show, the Kuka robot, is an export of the automotive industry. It’s the new applications of these technologies that will ultimately break down the boundaries between designer, maker and consumer.

The Melbourne exhibition is co-curated by the Design Hub and will also feature an extensive array of work from local designers and researchers including Richard Blythe, Milan Brandt, Mark Burry, Professor Peter Choong, Gyungju Chyon, Justin Clemens, Susan Cohn, Bin Dixon Ward, Leah Heiss, Tom Kovac, Scott Mayson, Lucy McRae, Paul Minifie, Floyd Mueller, Blamey Saunders Hears, Matthew Sleeth, Roland Snooks, Jenny Underwood and Nick Williams.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a full program of associated lectures, talks and workshops. Special guest Alisa Andrasek will showcase Bloom, “an urban toy, distributed social game and collective ‘gardening’ experience”.

Opening celebration
Thursday 28 August
6pm – 9pm

Alisa Andrasek Lecture
Friday 29 August
6pm – 8pm

Exhibition
28 August – 11 October 2014
RMIT Design Hub
Free
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