The next generation’s tastes, demographics, overall exposure and access, as well as political awareness, are increasingly defining and impacting the cultures of art, architecture and design. The heart of these evolving intents beats with attention as currency. Almost everything now is designed to seduce and cater to our extant tastes or perhaps, dissuade or refine them.

This week we sample how this facet of ‘taste’ flavours creative customs, or can be interpreted as such: NY-based International Object’s exhibition ‘Extra Taste’ examines rampant consumerism through works influenced by American cultural symbolism, from references to Coca-Cola and bullet imagery. Meanwhile, Google’s 'Making Sense of Color,' a sensorial, multi-layered installation at Milan Design Week 2024, is set to be seasoned by a medley of hues activated by sight and sound.

Expounding on his lighting solutions, Italian lighting designer Davide Groppi (who prefers the terms ‘artist, inventor, or narrator of light’), notes how his luminaires are actually ‘acts of disobedience in the name of innovation,’ hinting at an evolved taste for beauty via unconventional design. Examining it through the film’s larger architectural character and cultural commentary, we also savour the introspective profundity of Wim Wenders’ ‘Perfect Days,’ an ode to slow living and creative passions.

One of the most gratifying aspects of being part of the global creative community and commentary is the exposure it brings—subcultures of ideas, leanings, processes, and content that vie for our attention. The rest is a matter of developing taste.