P H A S E 1
Project Description:
“During the second 4 weeks, students will explore the idea of body transformation and will develop a “functional” Body Extension. Students will be focusing on the voluminosity of forms, the interaction between the body, its extension, and the surrounding. How it changes the function of the body? How it changes our perception of our bodies? How it changes the understanding of the viewers? Physically, emotionally, politically, socially, etc. Explore the idea of extending a part or few parts of your body into space to be able to have a function you have always wanted to have. The function can be for storage, grabbing objects, protection, disguise, replacement/prosthetics, protest, etc.
Considering how you can use color, shape, form, scale, and material formally or metaphorically. Students can explore pattern-making, scale model-making, collapsible & converting structures, abstracting concepts that can visually communicate a story.”
Research:
Functional body extension seems to be a modern concept but, in fact, are as old as humanity itself. From the most primitive of tools to the most modern of smartphones, humans have developed extensions of our natural form to achieve more efficient results. The reasons for such advancements came out of a needed result. Our earliest ancestors found a way to cut through meat easier and quicker with the use of flint cutting tools.
As humans progressed these historical designers also developed different tools to not only help us with hunting but with the “deficiencies” some of our populations had such as poor eyesight and glasses. According to Jeff Desjardin, a writer for Visual Capitalist, in 1285 the first pair of eyeglasses were produced. Although not as specialized as they are now, these original eyeglasses helped those who could not see as well.
In the next coming centuries products such as wearable calculators and cameras came into existence to help aid humanity in their daily lives and personal expression. It wasn’t until after WW2, however, did the amount and specialization of body extensions increase. During this time, headsets and portable phones began being produced. With the development of technology and the capitalist system, the speed in which products were being designed, produced and consumed boomed. Allowing for more innovation and production of goods, which would lead to further innovation and so on. 
In the modern era, technology has developed so far to allow wearable computers. Smartphones developed by Apple and Samsung are one such example. Another example is Google Glass, which is a pair of glasses that houses computer and telephone technology to allow you to communicate with whoever, whenever without the need to go onto your phone or computer. It essentially shortened the gap between the user and technology.
Arguably, anything we use to aid ourselves in the physical plane can be called a body extension. They act as added joints that allow us possibilities that our natural bodies could not achieve. However, is this the correct thing to do? There is no argument that rests on the fact that body extensions have not helped anyone; on the contrary, that is the reason for their existence. However, it is important to reflect upon the system and question whether or not the pace in which humanity is creating things is healthy for us and our planet. Too much product has ended up in the wrong places, leading to climate change, loss of habitat, etc. This not only makes me wary of the future and the possible issues that could arise from technological advancements but also wary of how the world will change if/when this becomes a norm.
Citations:
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-history-of-wearable-technology/
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Photo-of-the-30-flint-tools-analysed-The-blade-to-the-upper-left-is-65-cm-long-Sample_fig3_223327343
https://www.amazon.com/WM-FX290W-Walkman-Digital-Tuning-Cassette/dp/B00019MLF2
https://www.wired.com/story/google-glass-2-is-here/
online.grace.edu/news/business/the-past-present-future-of-wearable-technology/
Moodboard:
Design Proposal:
Music plays a very important role in my artistic process. From visual inspiration to providing artistic energy, artists such as Solange Knowles and those of my home region aid in the process of my work. Furthermore, through musical instruments, one can convey their thoughts and feelings. As a result, instruments are essentially extensions to the human form.
For Project #2, I propose the production of a wearable piece that could be used as a percussive instrument. The main function of the piece would be to mimic aquatic or oceanic sounds through the incorporation of bells akin to those used in Kathak, one of the seven traditional dance forms of Indian Subcontinent.
Another place of inspiration I gained from was the rainmaker, which is a hollowed out wooden tube filled with small beans or pebbles and a spiral. Once the tube is flipped over the small beans or pebbles slowly trickle down the spiral creating a rain like sound. The main aspect that I am interested in is the interaction between the small pebbles and how they, using force, create the sound of rain.
My second aspiration for the piece is to be an interpretation of water or liquid in its shape and form. This is because I believe water to be one of the most beautiful aspects of nature. It can be relaxing, soothing, and restorative but also destructive, overwhelming, and erratic.
Concept Sketches:
Initial Nine Concept Sketches
Refined Concept Sketches
P H A S E 2
Important Update:
After discussing our projects with our professor, it was suggested to me that my chief design concept would be difficult to complete within the allotted time frame. After reflecting about it for a while I decided to alter my design to something more achievable and incorporating much of my original concept.
The new concept is a wearable piece that mimics the shape of water. The inspiration was taken from an experience I had at an ancient water temple in Bahrain where my perspective changed regarding my education and what I wanted to pursue. Marking a pivotal moment in my life, the waves represent the feeling of release I felt.
Concept Sketches & Ideation:
3D Sketch Models & Mock-up:
Sketch Model #1
Sketch Model #2
Sketch Model #3
Mock-up Piece Shot #1
Mock-up Piece Shot #2
Mock-up Piece Shot #3
Orthographic Projection:
P H A S E 3
Process of Final Piece:
Beginning of Design Base #1
Beginning of Design Base #2
Covering of Piece with Plaster Gauze
Covering of Piece With Layer of Vinyl Spackling
Image of Painting Process
Reflection:
Project Two has proven to be the most challenging out of all of our assignments and our one project so far. This is to be expected. The aspects that challenged me the most were the changing of ideas relatively late in the project, the application of vinyl spackling, and lack of time management.
Firstly, the fact that I changed my idea quite late in the game pushed me to have a more clear understanding of what I wanted to execute. This added pressure gave me a burst of ideas that resulted in the updated ideation attachment for this project. Furthermore, the end result actually put out of my comfort zone as well. I had worked with plaster once before so I am far from mastering it. Nonetheless, I pushed and now I know what I should refrain from doing in the future. Some lessons include “cut the plaster gauze in smaller and longer pieces for more precise application” and “the plaster gauze will dry faster depending on the temperature, humidity, etc.”
Secondly, I had never used vinyl spackling before which also was a challenge to use. To refrain from creating an uneven finish, I was instructed by my professor to apply the spackling with a spatula. The tool proved to be useless at times when I had smaller crevices and round organic shapes to cover. I ended up using my fingers for these situations which after being sanded was not an issue. Furthermore, after the piece had dried I noticed that it began to chip and crack. I believe this may have been due to the fact that the piece was too organic for the method and/or material I used. If I were to this again I would perhaps create a mold out of the piece I made so that the following casts would be cleaner and stronger.
Lastly, I found that time management has been an obstacle in my way. I believe this is due to a form of exhaustion where I have not been developing healthy habits. I have started to change this and I hope that this will not affect me in the future.
In all, I have enjoyed this project and I am most proud of what I have created. Although not as “neat” and “perfect” as my previous work I challenged myself to play with another medium putting myself out of my comfort zone.
