Golden Age of Design - We've Boundless Plains to Share by Flack Studio

Casting a lens on a culture of shared identity, Flack Studio’s Rigg Design Prize installation ‘We’ve Boundless Plains to Share’ sheds light on a design approach that acknowledges cultural diversity, inclusion and a shared acceptance.

Physically represented in a golden hue, there is a clear and purposeful underlying commentary on contemporary domestic life and the luxury afforded to Australians living in what Flack Studio refer to as ‘the golden age’. The installation sees a multitude of layers of symbolism and meaning embody a series of societal commentary and cultural questions. In a time when everyone is afforded access to a global platform of design inspiration, this piece asks questions on necessity. Through a broader and larger scaled lens, comments are posed about appropriateness in a time loss and depravity in other parts of the world also. It is a story of contrasts, represented in a strongly emblematic and critical manner.

The installation aims to touch a number of demographics from a considered and respectful standpoint. With the acknowledgment of Indigenous historical references, and the breadth and depth of collaborations with other designers, industrial designers, furniture makers, artists and sculptors, there is a connection to this idea of Australian domestic living as that of a shared identity – that the many create the whole.

Flack Studio’s ‘We’ve Boundless Plains to Share’ sheds light on a design approach that acknowledges cultural diversity, inclusion and a shared acceptance.

The installation aims to utilise the power of design and collaboration, to examine, articulate and explore Australian values, while also engaging the audience in dialogue. Within the space, Flack Studio intended ‘to create the antithesis of the fear that’s being generated in today’s world’, where the ‘room acts as a metaphor for a successful society. With multiple ideas, respect for history, culture and the ability to welcome everyone’s contribution, a harmonious and culturally rich space is recognised.’

The installation aims to utilise the power of design and collaboration, to examine, articulate and explore Australian values, while also engaging the audience in dialogue.

Seeing design as a combined act of collaboration and generosity, Flack Studio view this also as an opportunity to instigate a dialogue around the Australian identity, and its future opportunities. Directly referencing the Australian national anthem – ‘We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil’, and ‘For those who’ve come across the sea, we’ve boundless plains to share’, critical questions around access, understanding and acceptance on a cultural level are posed. The connection to our domestic lives, and the view of all groups within that larger society, is key.

Flack Studio view this also as an opportunity to instigate a dialogue around the Australian identity, and its future opportunities.

Flack Studios’ approach to contemporary domestic life in Australia, created through a series of contrasting and confronting elements within this confined space, represents our rich and complicated diversity. Speaking also to a larger focus, on tolerance within society and sharing said ‘boundless plains’, this inquisitively introspective response asks us to also reconsider the ideals of opulence, and perhaps through human connection, understanding and open-mindedness, reframe the idea of what domesticity could ideally mean in a utopian sense.

Flack Studio’s ‘We’ve Boundless Plains to Share’ is a story of contrasts, represented in a strongly emblematic and critical manner.