Death of anthropologist Nicolas Nova, who combined design, digital culture and a taste for observation

Professor and researcher at the Geneva School of Art and Design, Nicolas Nova died at the age of 47, following illness during a trek. We dedicated a portrait to him two years ago, which we are reissuing this Monday.

Article originally published in telerama February 22, 2023

Franco-Swiss anthropologist Nicolas Nova, 45, teaches the art of investigation at Head (Haute École d’art et de design), in Geneva. This city inspires him because “she has a scientific culture linked to the Enlightenment”he explains in his office, between a construction helmet and a toy robot. In their professional lives, his students will use his knowledge to better understand who they will target. “digital objects, products, scenographies, signage” that they will imagine.

His way of looking at the world “gentle irony” dates back to childhood. He grew up in Charlieu, northwest of Lyon. His mother, a bookseller, and his father, a doctor, gave him a solid general knowledge. Nature attracted him as much as the new tools of the 1980s and 1990s: Minitel, video games… Hence studies along the way. “bicorne”which took him from biology to computer science, and concluded with a nuanced thesis on the use of smartphones. He drew a common thread from it: a reflection on the artificialization of our planet.

By immersing himself in digital society, Nicolas Nova had the feeling of “crisis of sensitivities”and even a “failure of imagination” : according to him, the leaders of technology companies have too often “a stereotypical conception of the future”, based on flying cars and hyperconnected cities, while “Sci-fi authors, designers, artists, architects offer many alternative visions”. However, for this teacher who likes to mix seriousness and playfulness, knowing how to observe “is the prerequisite for the construction of sensitivity”. He spends his time writing down overheard conversations, new words and taking photos. For example, he has “fifteen years of images on “You are here” signs found on city maps. And a whole documentation on a district of Geneva with street names evoking texts by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). He took out a small book, Observation exercises, which invites everyone to “study things and beings” by collecting, classifying, mapping… “We have to question the little spoons, as Georges Perec said. » Writing is one of his pleasures. He is already preparing his next work, which will tell the story of the metamorphosis of the Alps. Like a modern Rousseau, the idea came to him during a walk.

r Observation exercisesed. First Parallel, 168 p. €9.50.