For the Dale Sko Hack, Otto von Busch initiated a workshop for factory workers and designers at the Dale shoe factory. This activity brought together people intimately tied to the physical prodection of style with those responsible for the aesthetic prodection of style. The discussion centered around questioning and redefining the process of manufacture. They concluded that “. . . we must find ways to use the existing manual craft skills better in the design, find non-linear ways to operate production that creates more interesting results and narratives” (via wmmna interview). Not only have the results of this dialogue recieved the critical attention of the international fashoin community, but shoe factory is sustantially restructuring and reforming their production. They also produced a download-able book [PDF] documenting the project.
Otto von Busch sees his practice as similar to ‘hacking’ or heretical thinking:
“Modifying and breaking into systems to alter them, injecting micropolitical will into the channels and flows of the system. But they do not oppose the inherent power or code processing of that system. This is what makes hackers similar to heretics; they oppose the hierarchical role of the interpreter, administrator, or author, but not the power itself – code or faith. The heretic is not an atheist, but someone hacking the institutional and hierarchical interpretation of the faith. Like the hacker, modder, or tinkerer the heretic is keeping the power on, not renouncing or opposing the core or energy of a system.” (also via wmmna interview)
Von Busch and his partner, Evren Uzer, constitute the group “roomservices.” Currently they are working on a two part workshop/conference called “epicenter/periphery.” These events will consider the “exploration, mapping, and building of rural conditions for embracing creativity.” Epicenter/periphery will take place consecutively in June and October 2007; the workshop will take place in 14-21 June 2007 and the conference will be realized in 18-21 October 2007, in Dale Norway in collaboration with Nordic Artists’ Center- NKD and United World College in Fjaler.
