Words That Shape Us: “Are Not Hereditary“

Words in design have transcended mere descriptions or captions. In an era marked by the global fight against censorship and the spread of disinformation, language in art and design has emerged as a form of activism. The immediacy of words negotiates the paradox of social and political realities, shaping public consciousness in real-time.

Urban environments, flooded with words on signs, billboards, vitrines and installations, ignite possibility. More than infrastructure or advertisement, the integration of words into design becomes a medium of cultural urgency. By embedding political awareness into the everyday, designers drive dialogue and collective action, drawing conversations at the forefront.

In a world where language is often overlooked, or distorted, Roni Horn draws from Emily Dickinson’s lines such as “stars are not hereditary“ or “there is a solitude of space“ — transforming them into vertical sculptures. Breaking text into three-dimensional forms, Horn invites us to reconsider how we encounter and interpret meaning, creating a confrontation with the act of reading itself.

The choice, arrangement, and impact of words shape our understanding, resolve conflict and inspire growth. That’s our resolution for the year ahead.

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Images: Roni Horn; Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth.