Context

In the present times, one of the central issues that all design fields face today – is the notion of the term “context”.  Very briefly, it means “relevance” or “appropriateness” of a conceived output to a given situation. Thus, the fundamental question for designers is: what constitutes a “situation”? A more fundamental question preceding the earlier query is – why should context matter?

The question holds great relevance in times of globalization/ free flow of information, goods, ideas, and images and so on. It brings to the forefront recurring concerns of time, place, perception, transfer, transformation, adaptation, rootedness. This process of recurrence, continuation, transformation is evident all around us. The New has a seed in the Past and the Present bears the seed of the Future. Note that it is a “seed” – so there are possibilities of successes, disasters and anything in between based on choices (free will) and the environment that informs the choices.

Essentially, a context may mean:

1.       The idea of inter connectedness or relationships: A given situation/ event/ phenomenon is not isolated. It exists and is perceived in relation to other factors or variables. Thus, winds are caused by pressure differences, which are caused by variations in temperatures on Earth and the ocean floors, which are dependent on Earth’s size and movement, which are also tied up with revolution orbit of the Earth, which is governed by Sun, which is again dependent on…..(the connections go on). Thus, what causes a particular event? This is a complex answer.

2.       The idea of interdependence – With above realization, comes the understanding of interdependence and (in today’s buzzing jargon) sustainability. If we realize that an entity such as a tree is responsible for creating a habitat of birds, nests, flowers, fruits, microclimate, foliage, timber, soil protection, water retention, temperature control, food, clothing, shelter – we may become serious enough NOT to cut the tree. It takes minimum 1000 years for the ecosystem to support a tree. Considering the gravity of what is at stake, cutting a tree should feel blasphemous. But it will not pinch us, because we are unaware of our dependence on its existence. Therefore, realization of interdependence, will sensitize a person regarding the decisions he/she takes.

3.       The idea of responding to the flow – Since relationships are inherent (found in Nature and are not man-made), they will continue to behave in their own frequencies/ tendencies. The Sun will keep rising and setting – triggering a whole range of cyclic phenomena that we term as ‘Life’. Thus, decisions (free will) taking into considerations such phenomena, are likely to generate a favorable output as compared to a competitive decision. The only difference between other forms of life and humans is that we can be far more aware of these interconnections and therefore would be able to exercise judgment while deciding our actions. Other life forms will continue to do their jobs just as a part of a chain of events. We would also do the same, however, by being conscious of it. Thus, what do we become conscious of exactly? What seems to be the central point here? The point is – that our thoughts (and the experiences we feel) are also contextual! Thoughts are informed by our specific position in Time and Place. Time would mean any external notion of absolute time (hour, day, seasons, years) and internal notion of time (our own ‘age’). Place would mean any external notion of place on earth (latitude + longitude) and internal notion of place (our own ‘body’). Based on these variables, the entire spectrum of thoughts continues to get created. Thus, our own thoughts are a reflection of the connections to Place and Time and therefore, they are relative and not constant. They will keep changing. Therefore, we must respond based on this connection with Place and Time. Anything that is favorable to the given Place and Time, incidentally becomes favorable to our own existence and vice versa. For, in the end, ‘we’ (as a phenomenon) and the external event (as a phenomenon) are related and are not different! This becomes context!