It is becoming increasingly clear that the figure of polarization surrounding technological, political, and cultural issues assumes in the 21st century the place of debate . On the one hand, its visibility focuses on the intensification and extremism of positions; on the other, recognising it can help to reflect on the critical potential of its manifestations. 

In this context, it is essential that these arguments are not only perceived when they become radicalised, but that they are also capable of mobilising the common space in its multiple configurations, revealing particularities and differences. 

Volume 5 of the DAC Journal, "Polarities, Limits and Thresholds,” – that included essays, portfolios and projects by designers, visual artists and theoreticians – , takes the power of this figure in order to interrogate practices, highlight discourses, outline conceptual possibilities and contribute to the relevance of the theme through art and design.

Guest Editors: Ana Rainha, João Lemos, Margarida Azevedo e Marta Varzim Miranda

Editorial Note: Ana Rainha

Contributions to this issue include: Ana Sofia Cardoso; Ana Belén Rojo Ojados; Katerina Kokkinaki; Zoe Georgiadou; Yannis Koukoulas; Marianna Missiou; Marta Miaskowska; Maria Melgarejo Belenguer; António Mendanha; Sonia Díaz & Gabriel Martínez; Penelope Petsini; Marta Varzim Miranda; Tomé Saldanha Quadros; Emílio Remelhe; Angelos Kalogerias; Ifigeneia Ilia-Georgiadou; Jeremy Aston; Luciana Barbosa; Marco Gomes.

Graphic Design: João Lemos, Margarida Azevedo