Independent Lens Season 11 Episode 7 Objectified

"Objectified" is the seventh episode of the eleventh season of Independent Lens, a documentary television series that airs on PBS. The episode, directed by Rebecca Dreyfus, explores the complex relationship between design and our everyday lives.

The show opens with a close-up shot of a toothbrush. As we zoom out, we see a sleek and modern bathroom, with a designer faucet, high-end fixtures, and an artfully arranged set of toiletries. The narrator (TBA) explains that design is all around us, from the objects we use every day to the buildings we inhabit and the cities we live in. But what effect does this design have on our lives, and who is behind it?

To answer these questions, the episode focuses on a handful of designers and design thinkers, each with their own perspective on what design can and should do. We meet Yves Behar, a Swiss-born industrial designer who has reimagined everything from the laptop computer to the toothbrush. Behar argues that design should be both functional and beautiful, and that it should strive to address social and environmental problems.

Next, we meet Jennifer Siegal, an architect and founder of the Office of Mobile Design. Siegal's work focuses on creating cheap, efficient, and sustainable housing solutions for people who can't afford traditional homes. She takes us on a tour of some of her latest projects, including a futuristic-looking house made entirely out of steel shipping containers.

Along the way, the episode touches on a number of related themes, including the impact of technology on our lives and the role of design in shaping our identities and aspirations. We hear from Neil Harbisson, a "cyborg artist" who has an antenna implanted in his skull that allows him to "hear" colors. Harbisson argues that technology can be used to expand our senses and connect us more deeply with the world around us.

But not all the designers featured in "Objectified" are quite so positive about the power of design. We also meet Paola Antonelli, a curator at the Museum of Modern Art, who argues that design can be a double-edged sword. She notes that many of the objects we use every day are designed to manipulate us into buying more things, or to keep us addicted to social media and other forms of technology.

Throughout the episode, we see a wide range of objects and designs, from the iconic Apple iPhone to the humble kitchen garbage can. The show takes us behind the scenes of some of the world's most famous design firms and museums, and introduces us to a host of fascinating characters, each with their own unique perspective on the world of design.

By the end of the episode, viewers are left with a deeper understanding of the ways in which design shapes our lives, and the potential power of design to change the world for the better. Whether you're an aspiring designer yourself or simply curious about the forces that drive our consumer culture, "Objectified" is a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of this fascinating and complex topic.