Hey guys,
I have updated my Joan Dress blog, and have reached the end of phase 1 of the development process. Check it out!
Showing posts with label wearable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wearable. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
language objects
The Inkas may have used clusters of strings and knots (called khipu) as their way of recording language, while most other cultures of the world have used written records of ink on paper. This suggestion is described in 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann, Appendix B.
Honestly, I have never stopped to think about representing language in terms of objects versus written symbols, but the concept of creating a physical system for recording thoughts is actually quite inspiring. It reminds me of the way genes are encoded in long strands of DNA, although this system sounds like it has many more base elements to it. These elements include the kind of material used, the way the strings were spun, and the direction of the knots attached to all the other strings in the khipu. There were also, apparently, 24 different string colors.
It makes me think that it might be interesting to create a kind of khipu myself. The Inka's khipu sound fairly complex however; each khipu which has been found encoded one of 1,536 possible "distinct information units"!
Honestly, I have never stopped to think about representing language in terms of objects versus written symbols, but the concept of creating a physical system for recording thoughts is actually quite inspiring. It reminds me of the way genes are encoded in long strands of DNA, although this system sounds like it has many more base elements to it. These elements include the kind of material used, the way the strings were spun, and the direction of the knots attached to all the other strings in the khipu. There were also, apparently, 24 different string colors.
It makes me think that it might be interesting to create a kind of khipu myself. The Inka's khipu sound fairly complex however; each khipu which has been found encoded one of 1,536 possible "distinct information units"!
Our clothes have a fingerprint
I read this fascinating article the other week on how a robber was nabbed based on a unique pattern of wrinkles found down the side of his blue jeans, as seen on the bank's surveillance tape. The puckers and creases along the side-seam of his pants were a result of how his body moved within the denim fabric, thus creating a kind of barcode, or fingerprint, which was used as indisputable evidence in a court of law.
This made me think about all the ways in which we leave our own marks on our habitats. I love thinking about how our environments, including of course, our own bodies, act as a record of our lives. The kinds of activities we engage in, the way we move, these are all silently recorded, day by day. Just looking at my office chair, it's evident that i like to sit on my heels while in it; the fabric is stressed and slightly pushed downwards from the center of the seat.
This also made me think about the notion of 'memory'. It's not an original musing perhaps, but i still find memory fascinating. Life may seem to exist right here right NOW in our field of vision, but the past feels very material nonetheless, thanks to not only records of experiences and thoughts stored in our minds, but also to physical records we may have; gifts, letters, scars, the way the soles of our shoes are worn down in the same place on every pair.
hmm.. fascinating indeed...
This made me think about all the ways in which we leave our own marks on our habitats. I love thinking about how our environments, including of course, our own bodies, act as a record of our lives. The kinds of activities we engage in, the way we move, these are all silently recorded, day by day. Just looking at my office chair, it's evident that i like to sit on my heels while in it; the fabric is stressed and slightly pushed downwards from the center of the seat.
This also made me think about the notion of 'memory'. It's not an original musing perhaps, but i still find memory fascinating. Life may seem to exist right here right NOW in our field of vision, but the past feels very material nonetheless, thanks to not only records of experiences and thoughts stored in our minds, but also to physical records we may have; gifts, letters, scars, the way the soles of our shoes are worn down in the same place on every pair.
hmm.. fascinating indeed...
Saturday, March 03, 2007
it glows!
I experimented with embedding LEDs into platinum-based silicone. This particular kind of silicone is called Dragon Skin Q (the Q stands for 'quick'; i think so anyways... this kind of silicone sets faster than the regular Dragon Skin).
I'm envisioning having many iterations of this hanging around the neck, or maybe attached to the wrists, or a dress. I love the texture of silicone, and having many small chunks laying over each other and bouncing around is something that would be satisfying to look at, as well as to touch. I'm always interested in finding new ways of creating texture, and the silicone-LED combos are fulfilling this endeavor nicely right now.
I'm envisioning having many iterations of this hanging around the neck, or maybe attached to the wrists, or a dress. I love the texture of silicone, and having many small chunks laying over each other and bouncing around is something that would be satisfying to look at, as well as to touch. I'm always interested in finding new ways of creating texture, and the silicone-LED combos are fulfilling this endeavor nicely right now.
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