This investigation and research grew organically out of my general curiosity for the history of the key; it is not intended to make a definite point but rather explore our relation to this thing. The key has become a part of our everyday routine, an object thoroughly taken for granted. Yet our dependency on these small, seemingly insignificant objects has far-reaching implications and consequences; every time we use a key, the object, and our use of the object, has an impact on our lives and thus gains societal importance. As a result of the key’s ubiquitous nature researching has proved to be difficult, the approach one may take in researching is to break the object down using some basic questions:
With these questions, I have found it easier to approach keys and the way I think about them. I found myself particularly draw to the overarching concept of needing keys and what that says about society. Do keys signify a society that doesn’t trust itself or it’s members? Keys are used to keep things or people both in and out, why do we feel the need for privacy? Secrecy? Containment? Once I established a general definition of the object, I started to dig into these questions by looking at the various relationships facilitated by the key:
• Thing & Thing • People & Thing • People & People
To provide an alternate look at the Key, and offer alternate methods of unpacking this object I have included 3 case studies:
Posted at Dec 21/2008 02:03PM:
Chris W.: Great work Tiana. I especially appreciated your series of questions as ways into the key.
