Invasionism

Aes­thetic Inspi­ra­tion Archive of Inva­sion­ism pre­sented by David Gensler for the 2011 Relaunch of SVSV.

As we travel and explore the world and life, often as we (Design­ers and Artists) attempt to affect, we are affected. As we attempt to change, we are changed, as we attempt to invade, we are invaded.

INVASIONISM is a the­ory of the dual effect the act of cre­ation has on both the audi­ence and the cre­ator. The act of artis­tic cre­ation acutely impacts an audi­ence, both intended and sec­ondary, often chal­leng­ing con­ven­tions and rewrit­ing social mores and memes (or some­times val­i­dat­ing them).

Sim­ply put, as artis­tic cre­ation impacts the world, the world’s reac­tion to it, equally impacts the artists/​designer. Ulti­mately, Inva­sion­ism is an exchange of energy that know­ingly and unknow­ingly “INVADES” both cre­ator and audi­ence alike.

This effect hap­pens most often in real world expe­ri­ences, more so than the dig­i­tal realm. As an exam­ple, a Designer look­ing to find inspi­ra­tion from a for­eign cul­ture is often more affected by the observed cul­ture than the cul­ture is by the designer. Rarely does the designer or artists have the con­trol they believe they command.

“As I attempt to change or influ­ence the world through my designs and ideas, ulti­mately the world truly changes me.” – David Gensler, Founder of THE KEYSTONE DESIGN UNION & SVSV.