PS147 Prep + Three Final Project ideas

1) Are you familiar with the concept of Seventh Generation Sustainability? Review the following link.

 (Links to an external site.)

  What do you think of this concept? What kind of responsibility do you think people alive today have to the people in the future?  What about you, personally?  Do you think many people alive today consider how their actions today will affect future generations? Does considering future generations feel creative and inspiring, or limiting? Or something else?

The concept of considering future generation is inspiring. I think more people should consider this and bear responsibility for future generations. However, I don’t think many people are considering this concept because most people’s interest/concern is related to present, rather than future. People think about how they can thrive, not people in the future that they don’t know. I think this is why people are using excessive energy from nature. Therefore more people should be aware of this concept and start considering their consumption based on the future.

2)  You will have a chance to talk with several fourth grade students next week and work on a small collage project together.  The project will visualize objects/materials that are typically throw away or are misused (thrown away before they are “used up” or that culture is wasteful with).  The goal of the project is to include items that can be treated less wastefully (a practice of sustainability).  Bring three small sketches or photos to class next week that you can contribute to their collage (around 3×3 inches each) of things you  commonly throw away or are wasteful with, but would like to treat differently. You can also include sketches of things that you feel the larger culture is wasteful with.  What kind of insights and advice do you have to share with these young students around this long-term challenge that we all share?

  • Sketchbooks

  • Disposable cups

  • Clothes

 

3) Closely read the final project brief and develop three possible ideas.  Consider how these projects will affect future generations, ten years from how. You will have a chance to refine and narrow your ideas with me by email before class on November 13th, but for now, please develop three ideas (including at least one object and one practice) you are interested in creating/enacting and answer the following questions on your LP for each idea. Include a small sketch for each.

 

Lamp

1) What is a practice/skill that you commit to enact, or an object you commit to take care of, for the next 10 years?

An object that I commit to take care of is a lamp made of left-over papers and boxes.

2) In what ways will this practice/skill or object provide joy and functionality in your daily life (on a regular basis) over ten years?

Design wise, this lamp will be simple and aesthetically pleasing to look at so that I can use it often. Also, I like keeping a soft light on when sleeping so I will use this often at night.

3) How will you repair and/or make this object or process more resilient, enabling it last/be useful for at least 10 years?

Maybe I will coat something that makes papers last longer (I’m not sure what it’s called) so that it does not get ripped.

4) Given what you have learned this semester, how will this project reduce systems impact on air/climate, material, water and energy systems over 10 years?

Most lamps that I have bought are made of plastics / other materials that are toxic to the environment when thrown away. However, since this lamp is made of paper it can be recycled again for another use.

 

A mini drawer using boxes

1) What is a practice/skill that you commit to enact, or an object you commit to take care of, for the next 10 years?

An object that I commit to take care of is a mini drawer made of boxes in my house.

2) In what ways will this practice/skill or object provide joy and functionality in your daily life (on a regular basis) over ten years?

I am going to make the drawer in small size so that I can put some pencils and pens in it. It is functional because I can put anything that fits in the drawer other than pen and pencil. Also, it is easily fixable since it is made of boxes that could be found anywhere.

3) How will you repair and/or make this object or process more resilient, enabling it last/be useful for at least 10 years?

I am planning to put paint over it and coat it with Acrylic Varnishes, which allows the painting to last longer.

4) Given what you have learned this semester, how will this project reduce systems impact on air/climate, material, water and energy systems over 10 years?

Since I am using left over boxes, I am re-using something that would have been thrown away or just stayed in my room forever. Also, it doesn’t require any screws or wood materials.

 

A pouch bag made of worn-out jeans

1) What is a practice/skill that you commit to enact, or an object you commit to take care of, for the next 10 years?

A pouch bag made of worn-out jeans. The size will vary depending on the type of jeans that I have.

2) In what ways will this practice/skill or object provide joy and functionality in your daily life (on a regular basis) over ten years?

I will use the unique design of jeans (e.g. back pockets), which will provide joy when I carry it. Also it is functional because I will have an extra pocket.

3) How will you repair and/or make this object or process more resilient, enabling it last/be useful for at least 10 years?

I will use a sewing machine to repair my jeans. I will use thick thread as well to make it last longer (so that it does not get ripped). Also, I can always wash it with other clothes since it is made of jeans when it gets messy.

4) Given what you have learned this semester, how will this project reduce systems impact on air/climate, material, water and energy systems over 10 years?

It will reduce systems related to material since I do not have to buy a new pouch that requires a use of new fabrics. Also, I don’t have to throw away jeans that I do not wear anymore (bc it’s worn out or too small for me). It also reduces climate impact because it does not include transportation system if I don’t order it online.

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