My PIR co-workers, Liz and I visited the Massive Change exhibit last week at the AGO. I didn’t know what to expect of the exhibit, however, I understood from reading casually in the media that it has some planning disciplines involved in it. Of course, I jumped on the chance to see it before it closed last Sunday.

Massive Change looks at the world of design and how these ‘human advances’ changed the way we live. Initiated by the renown Canadian Bruce Mau, the exhibit looks at how humans have reactively changed over time through technological advances to manage and deal with the pressing demands of the time (e.g. solar power, banning of CFCs), while at the same time, design has also proactively shaped our society as well.

Through all sorts of different communication methods- videos, audio clips, photos, models, satellite images- Massive Change was indeed a visual masterpiece. Liz and I were saying how we were inspired to redecorate our rooms to fit some of these designs.

The concluding exhibits were indeed the most interesting. Although Massive Change investigated how humans have found ways to control and influence the forces of nature, the last exhibit probed our sense of morality and ethics by asking us where we should draw the line in attempt to “better” human life. Pressing issues such as human cloning, pharmaceutical debates, genetically modified foods, and other bioethical issues were discussed. Pros and cons where illustrated, and each visior had the opportunity to have their say though an interesting voting system- by putting a sheet of coloured paper in two transparent “Yes” or “No” bins. Through my casual analysis, people generally supported these often very ethically-charged developments. (I’m hope you can sense generally which side I’m on.)

It was so good that we didn’t have a chance to see all the exhibits. (And they rudely kicked people out after 9:00).

Check out a few picture from my Flickr page.