Mass Observation: Contemporary Basketry

What is a basket? “An object or vessel form in a textile structure where dynamics of components are all visible”. Hisako Sekijima

For this project I decided to focus on the properties and characteristics of plants in particular grasses. This decision was mainly influenced by a documentary about the Venus flower basket sea sponge on Attenborough’s Ark. I then began to develop my ideas by combining my interests in sustainable design and reusing materials.

 

  
 In this second experiment I was able to introduce pattern and colour through the process of melting and heating of bin liners and plastic shopping bags, but the overall strength and durability required was not reached.

 Plaiting and coiling the bin bags created quite a strong exterior, but I found it difficult to manipulate the structure and had to look into methods of heating and different non-stick tooling.

 I liked the way introducing the use of string reflected the making process and how this in turn added an aesthetic that may or may not be interpreted  as decorative.

 The final outcome is my interpretation of contemporary basketry and challenges the way baskets are viewed and used. The subtlety of the making process references the play between fragility and  durability.

Design Museum-Designed to Win

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After visiting the Design Museum the three themes of inspiration that I chose were the Olympic shoe collection by Adidas, the Olympic Kit by Stella McCartney and the Flex Run Prosthetic Limb by Nike in collaboration with Paralympian Sarah Reinertsen. The idea that I decided to develop for the design proposal is mainly based on the Adipower boxing boot.

Designed to Win-Neo Moeti

Ceramics Workshop

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who knew how enjoyable working with clay and plaster could be!? Having said that, I’ve found that working in the ceramics field is actually quite serious business and feel that I’ve gained a lot of experience about working with material in general as a designer maker. I think that skills such as precision and calculation, timing,reusing waste, working in a hazard free environment and of course an appreciation of the patience involved in the making process will be useful in future projects.