設計史的再思考——一個臺灣設計史論述的假說

Rethinking Design History: A Hypothesis of Design History Discourse in Taiwan

本文是一個關於台灣設計史論述形構的初步回顧，目的在於嘗試草擬一個反省設計史的歷史計畫。首先作者質疑歷史的客觀性，認為設計史家必然是在其當代基於不同的意識形態來詮釋往事。其次，作者回顧若干設計史的研究方法，認為採取多元的研究取向和歷史寫作是一可行的策略，並主張設計史主體的流動性不妨礙設計史論述的發展。然後提出一個假說，認為戰後台灣的政治經濟因素壓抑了史學研究與本土意識，並接納現代主義論述以推動工業化和經濟發展，設計史論述從而被實用取向與形式主義所支配。最後作者建議以台灣為主體的若干題材，希望從中揭發設計史論述在台灣的歷史脈絡下某些意識形態，進而尋求設計史自身的適當定位和躋身於學術之林的可能性。

Reviewing the discourse formation of design history in Taiwan, the author attempts to propose a historical project for rethinking the history rather than an absolute assertion of the past. First, the author argues the subjectivity of history, and believes that design history would have a future in spite of the ambiguity of its ontology. Second, he suggests a multiple-approach strategy, since the historian's research approaches depend on various ideologies. Third, the political and economical contexts in postwar Taiwan, more or less, had inhibited the development of history research and localization ideology. On the other hand, industrial design as a tool to promote Taiwan's industrialization was highly encouraged. As a result, both practical and formalist approaches had an impact on the discourse formation of design history. Finally, this paper points out some materials for further research on the design histories in Taiwan. In the future design history might become an academic discipline by inquiring the hidden ideology in the discourse formation.