Anthropologists, visualisation and future-making
It is also fascinating for anthropologists to look at the major role that visual culture plays in sketching the future. Luning: ‘It is very interesting to look at the professionals and political agents with power and influence, and to link this to research into people who are affected by planning. We investigate how planners work, how they work at the behest of policy-makers and whether or not citizens are involved in discussions. And we are asking how images circulate in those areas of decision-making.’ Hein also sees added value in working with anthropologists. ‘The question is for whom you are designing. Architects show beautiful images of what the port will look like in the future. If you also work with anthropologists, you get a much broader picture of your audience. That goes beyond the client. Architects need to have that level of dialogue during the design process.’ Van de Laar sums it up: ‘Imagery has an appeal and