K-HOLE (trend forecasting group)

K-HOLE was a trend forecasting artist collective founded by Greg Fong, Sean Monahan, Chris Sherron, Emily Segal, and Dena Yago. The group operated between 2011 and 2016 and was based in New York City.[1][2]

K-HOLE
Company typeTrend forecasting group
Founded2010
Founders
Defunct2016
Headquarters,
United States
Websitekhole.net

Reports

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K-HOLE has issued five trend forecasting reports. Each report is in the style of a consumer trend forecasting report and reproduced for free as a .pdf file.

The first trend forecasting report, "K-HOLE #1: Fragmoretation: A Report on Visibility" was released in 2011 at and was made available via 100 rubber Livestrong-style bracelet USB drives as well as online.[2] The second, "K-HOLE #2: Prolasticity: A Report on Patience,” launched at MoMA PS1 and was distributed on USB dog tag necklaces.[3] The third report, "K-HOLE #3: The K-HOLEBrand Anxiety Matrix" surveyed case studies on Isabel Marant at Internal Wedge Sneakers, Globster, the antisocial networking, deodorant aka Stankonia, and reproduction hacks with the Mirena IUD.

In 2013, K-HOLE published, "Youth Mode: A Report On Freedom," as part of the 89plus marathon at the Serpentine Gallery in London. The report was made produced alongside Box 1824, a research organization based in São Paulo. The report addressed the use of generational branding, such as the mass marketable appeal of the hipster as outsider, even though the hipster was fashionable at the time.[4][5] K-HOLE offered alternative sensibilities, like Normcore, the adaptability to socialize between various social groups and niche consumers. Soon after the report's release, the term Normcore went viral.[6][7] It was rendered into a fashion term that corresponded with basic t-shirts, washed out jeans, white New Balance sneakers, amongst other markers.

In 2015, K-HOLE released its fifth report, “K-HOLE #5: A Report on Doubt,” which focused on the use of chaos magic and positive thinking.[8]

Though K-HOLE is now largely inactive, some of its members went on to be founding members of Are.na. It is a research tool and social network.[citation needed]

Brand consulting

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K-HOLE has done brand consulting for Coach, Kickstarter, MTV, and the New Museum, alongside Ryan Trecartin, for the triennial "Surround Audience."[1][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "That's A Total K-Hole Thing To Do". Fast Company. May 11, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  2. ^ a b McGarry, Kevin. "Out There - Consumer Culture".
  3. ^ Khole.net
  4. ^ "Trend Forecasters K-HOLE On Individualism, #NORMCORE, & What It Means to Be Free". Bullett Media. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  5. ^ "Report: 'the crisis of what it means to be special is no longer limited to the young'". Wired UK. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  6. ^ "A brief history of normcore - The Daily Californian". The Daily Californian. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  7. ^ The New York Times
  8. ^ Steff Yotka. "Fashion Trend: A Conversation About Magic With K-Hole - Vogue". Vogue. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  9. ^ "K-HOLE and Martine Syms on New Museum Triennial / New York". Flash Art. Retrieved April 23, 2016.