"Design: Interweaving Identity and Innovation," a work by Genoveva Malo
On March 13, the University of Azuay and its publishing house presented the book "Design: Interweaving Identity and Innovation in the Complexity of Culture" by author Genoveva Malo; an event in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The event was attended by authorities, faculty, administrative staff, and students from our university community, officials from various institutions in the city, family and friends of the author, and the general public.
The work discusses the history and thinking of a School, and later a Faculty, that emerged in the 80s, closely linked to the region's culture and craftsmanship. However, the narrative is broader and delves into the historical, political, and cultural context of Latin America. The reflections seek to characterize the relationship between identity and innovation by interweaving variables of design, craftsmanship, and context in a comparative analysis that reflects the creation and transformation of the Design program to the present day.
The welcoming remarks were delivered by Francisco Salgado, rector of the University of Azuay, who highlighted the author's charisma and spirit, capable of bringing together so many people to make this dream a reality. He also praised her inspiration in the community and the valuable contribution of a university authority such as academic vice-rector and writer. Finally, he highlighted the School of Design's incredible campus, brimming with creativity, and the impact the book will have on students and faculty at the school.
In turn, Dora Giordano, a commentator on the book, expressed her excitement at participating in the event and speaking about her beloved student, the author of the book. She emphasized that the book reflects contemporary thought and profound cultural knowledge. She mentioned that the concept of "interweaving" present in the book alludes to the complexity and deconstruction of binary thinking, encompassing both order and disorder, as well as development and underdevelopment.
Finally, Genoveva Malo, academic vice-rector and author of the book, described how the discipline has evolved, transformed, and innovated over time, reaffirming that design is an extraordinary field of study. She then presented the structure of her book, explaining its sections: the initial plot, the conceptual framework, the connections between the end of the century and the beginning of the new millennium, and the exploration of identity.
In closing his remarks, he expressed his hope that this work will serve as a catalyst for reflection on design and its connection to culture and identity. "May our thinking keep us alert, so that we never stop learning," he concluded.
