Corbis : Low Tech Trend

Corbis’ new ‘Creative Boutique’ presents pictures in conjunction with the trend topic ‘Lo Tech” – less technology in our everyday life, promoting more time to spent in spaces of creative freedom. Modern technology creates an independent individual; everybody is able to work from everywhere, now that they are constantly online and available. Yet, the more Blackberry, IPhone and Laptop are dominating, the more the individual becomes entangled in this fast paced environment. Over the last years, it has become a thing of impossibility to really switch off, to disconnect oneself – taking a break from the technological blessings, which were supposed to take away some of our everyday life’s burden.

Thus, a counter movement has been establishing itself and recently – more and more people are switching off their gadgets, increasingly relying on a non-technical way of seeking a connection with others. Be it via long walks or a cosy evening amongst friends. Some companies go as far as to provide their employees with so called ‘Thinking Time’ – a period that is defined by the imperative not to answer phone calls or to read any e-mails. Advertising campaigns appeal to children to switch off their gaming consoles and seek recreation outdoors.

Presumably the most prominent example of this ‘counter movement’ is the ‘Mental Detox Week’, staged annually. Technocratic enthusiasts from all over the world are urged to give their IPods, Computers, TVs or DVD-Players seven days of rest. The goal here is to release a wave of relaxation, reflection and self-awareness.

Going back to the roots, switching off, just pulling the plug for once – to illustrate these very issues, Corbis features a great number of various picture material in their archive. But don’t dare gaze at them online (at least not during Detox Week that is).