meaningful creation

each participant received a plaster cube approximately 5cmX5cmX5cm. this cube was left in their care, allowing for interaction.

the plaster is a white material that lends itself to being scratched, marked, coloured, carved, chipped.

interaction between the cube and carer resulted in a variety of marks, traces, being left upon the surface - exposing a small part of a hidden narrative between the two.

surface involvement

a photographic observation experiment of surfaces, specifically showing wear, attrition, and a transient aesthetic.

all photos were photographed using an old SLR using colour negative film.

a quick look at materials

Bronze

Brass

Steel

Aluminum

Copper

The metals were left as found, sanded and polished in sections to explore the different surface qualities.

working timeline for semester two

proposal

Limited Life is a year long exploration into filling voids that have been created through a current day existence where lasting experiences are neglected. The project aims to investigate the state of relationships between subject and object as a foundation for extending not only product life but human fulfilment through interaction and most importantly, connection to empathy. The final outcome of this project will result as a series of pieces that convey this reasoning and method of development. Vessels will focussed on for their ability to transcend the categories in which they reside to encompass both fixed objects and that of the wearable nature.

The materials of the chosen artefacts will be constrained by those that are hand crafted, specifically looking at cast metals, ceramics and wood. These materials show capabilities to not only be created through human driven process but also for their ability to sustain a narrative through surface involvement.

The aim is to demonstrate that through consideration of individuals and their relationship to objects that products can provide fulfilling experience of engagement. It is hoped that Limited Life will create lasting romances, not only through connection to objects but to those we share our lives with, enforcing that empathy the for foundation sustaining life.

breaking up

Thank you to Ky for telling me about this break-up video. A workshop was run to try and understand people's relationships with objects by asking them to write a 'break-up' letter.

abstract

Limited Life is a focus on filling voids that have been created through a hyper-stimulated existence, a high tech throw-away culture of mass consumption and waste production. What has been lost or replaced by having a number of "friends", "like"-ing something and the creation of virtual existence? Are we craving the basics of human need; contact, connections and empathy, to experience with anyone, anything? Perhaps it is this culture that has led to how we see objects in our lives, as a quick fixes, fleeting romances and emotionally inert.

Technological advancement, inbuilt obsolescence, fashion, trends and social changes inhibit the relationships between objects and our interaction with them being extended to their fullest. It is these limitations that are the cause of generating excess consumption, waste and the breakdown of attachment between objects and their users, resulting in a scenario where we limit an objects value as much as they limit us having the ability to do so. Through the act of experimentation with the emotional attachments users have with objects with a specific focus on surfaces, this project will focus on emotional value as a method of reducing waste, sustaining a narrative and ultimately extending an objects life and worth.