Solidarity as a principle for antisystemic design processes: two cases of alliance with social struggles in Brazil

Bibiana Oliveira Serpa, School of Industrial Design, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro
Sâmia Batista E Silva, School of Industrial Design, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

In this essay we reflect on the possibility of politicizing participatory design processes by defending the notion of solidarity in Paulo Freires’s thought. We present a critique of empathy as a relational practice in design, considering it to be an anti-dialogical practice that reifies subjects in design processes focused on developing capitalist commodities. As a counterpoint, we defend solidarity as a dialogical ethical principle and practice that is founded on consciousness and the invilieng and transformation of given reality (of oppression). To support our argument, we present two experiences where we live solidarity-in-praxis while promoting design engagements in Brazil. The first is a designer alliance with a collective of peripheral youngsters at the Terra Firme neighbourhood in Belém, Pará, in the northern part of Brazil. The other is an alliance with a national-wide popular education initiative that works with women’s political education in Brazil within the feminist movement. In experiencing these, we borrow Freire’s suggestion and argue for solidarity, as opposed to empathy, to build antisystemic design processes.

 
Jul 22nd, 9:00 AM

Solidarity as a principle for antisystemic design processes: two cases of alliance with social struggles in Brazil

In this essay we reflect on the possibility of politicizing participatory design processes by defending the notion of solidarity in Paulo Freires’s thought. We present a critique of empathy as a relational practice in design, considering it to be an anti-dialogical practice that reifies subjects in design processes focused on developing capitalist commodities. As a counterpoint, we defend solidarity as a dialogical ethical principle and practice that is founded on consciousness and the invilieng and transformation of given reality (of oppression). To support our argument, we present two experiences where we live solidarity-in-praxis while promoting design engagements in Brazil. The first is a designer alliance with a collective of peripheral youngsters at the Terra Firme neighbourhood in Belém, Pará, in the northern part of Brazil. The other is an alliance with a national-wide popular education initiative that works with women’s political education in Brazil within the feminist movement. In experiencing these, we borrow Freire’s suggestion and argue for solidarity, as opposed to empathy, to build antisystemic design processes.