DESIGN NAME: Come Together
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Bracelet
INSPIRATION: People gather. I was inspired by noticing how individuals' umbrellas are placed together in umbrella bins when they come together in a space. Through observations in daily life and researching about umbrellas, both private ones and the bigger ones installed in public spaces, I created this bracelet composed of umbrellas that create spaces around the wearer's wrist for little figurines to gather under.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The bracelet is inspired by umbrellas in public spaces and their function in creating a space that is to a degree private and separated from its surroundings. Umbrellas provide a space where people seeking shelter - whether they know each other or not - can gather. They are objects that seem universal and enforce the union of all social classes, gender and ages. This gives rise to the name of the bracelet: Come Together. The viewers see the top of umbrellas from above when the bracelet is not on the body. Only when the bracelet is worn are the space and the people underneath revealed.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: When the bracelet is not worn and laid flat on a surface, it seems to be composed of nine umbrellas of different heights and similar diameters overlapping each other. What happens under the umbrellas is not open to be shared in this state. The revelation of the figurines happens only when the bracelet is worn. The umbrellas create a space around the wearer's wrist, where the figurines seem to be moving and interacting. The wearer as well as the viewers can make up their own stories looking at the motions taking place in the space under the umbrellas.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The bracelet started in November 2017 and finished in December 2017 in Providence, Rhode Island.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The bracelet is entirely made from 925 Silver with some brass wire used in construction of each umbrella. Techniques including centrifugal casting, soldering and hinge making were used.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Approx. Width: 30mm
Approx. Height: 30mm
Approx. Length: 160mm
TAGS: jewelry, bracelet, silver, hinges, cast, casting, wearable, umbrellas, social, interaction
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The research focused on umbrellas in terms of their functions in a social context. Primarily texts and images were collected for research.
CHALLENGE: The challenge of the project lies in the design process, thinking of a design that embodies the idea of people coming together in specific spaces in a public environment. The goal was to have the design carry the message effectively to both the viewers and the wearer of the piece in the process of interaction and emphasize the activation of the piece once it is put on the body.
ADDED DATE: 2017-12-18 11:11:42
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Kaining Wang, 2017.
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