Book Chapter: Mirrors and Projections – Making New Art/Design from Old Technology 

Abstract:

The ‘Mirrors and Projections’ is a practice-based research project exploring redundant and imperfect analogue projection technology as a relevant mode of artistic expression. From a media-archaeology perspective, the paper demonstrates how analogue technology can be employed not merely for nostalgic reasons, but because it is important to experiment with apparatus previously known as ‘high-tech’ and that became nearly obsolete as a result of rapid digital evolution.

A significant part of contemporary artistic and design production moves towards practices increasingly hybrid and immaterial.  In response to this technological acceleration there has been a surge of artists and designers seeking to explore ephemeral materials and unique production processes. These art making practices often incorporate explicit references to machines from earlier phases in the development of our techno culture.

With the current obsession for ever more powerful gadgets, this paper is distinct in exploring the narratives of blurred edges of redundant technology. The paper through showcasing works produced using an overhead projector (OHP), celebrates not only the heritage of this ‘extinct’ machine but also discuss technological evolution by asking: What is the value of experimentation with obsolescent apparatus in the artwork production and how these experiments expand the field of heterogeneous art/design practices?

Abrams, I. (2025). Mirrors and Projections – Making New Art/Design from Old Technology. In: Raposo, D., Neves, J. (eds) Perspectives on Design IV: Research, Education and Practice. Springer Series in Design and Innovation, vol 59. Springer, Cham.

Link to the chapter: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-00733-9_21

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-00733-9

Published: 27 October 2025

Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

Print: ISBN978-3-032-00732-2

Online: ISBN978-3-032-00733-9

Chapter Page Numbers: 309-318

Book link: https://link.springer.com/book/9783032007322