Restoring Functional Body Position
Project Description
My current body of work explores the presumptions we have about body position, and how our orientation relates to function and comfort. Most people expect to be comfortable in their own homes and thus expect to be able to cultivate their own domestic environment in an artful and utilitarian way. The tasks we perform as part of simple domestic living overwhelmingly require a standing body position. After the loss of a leg resulting from a motorcycle accident my awareness of this reality was sharpened considerably.
I am interested in how physical differences preclude some individuals from fully engaging in functional domestic activity. In pursuit of this objective I am exploring to restore an individual’s sense of independence and inclusion. This is achieved by creating furniture objects that provide proper support while still feeling like furniture, not medical devices.
Through this investigation I have created functional furniture forms, providing the specific shapes of containment and support needed to allow a person with an above the knee amputation the ability to stand and perform normal domestic tasks. I believe it is important for the user of the furniture I create to feel their piece of furniture is purpose built, and not feel like an adaptation of an existing “normal” piece of furniture. Furniture should be designed and built, from the very beginning, to be functional to its user.
Continued reflection and exploration has led me to expand the original scope of this investigation to include objects which communicate a greater sense of the original loss of function as well as the phases of emotional and physical healing. These pieces will present viewers with some of the problems of limited mobility and stability. Other pieces will show means of adaptation to these obstacles. Inspiration for this work aesthetically will be from domestic architecture, tools of craft, and plant forms.
I am interested in how physical differences preclude some individuals from fully engaging in functional domestic activity. In pursuit of this objective I am exploring to restore an individual’s sense of independence and inclusion. This is achieved by creating furniture objects that provide proper support while still feeling like furniture, not medical devices.
Through this investigation I have created functional furniture forms, providing the specific shapes of containment and support needed to allow a person with an above the knee amputation the ability to stand and perform normal domestic tasks. I believe it is important for the user of the furniture I create to feel their piece of furniture is purpose built, and not feel like an adaptation of an existing “normal” piece of furniture. Furniture should be designed and built, from the very beginning, to be functional to its user.
Continued reflection and exploration has led me to expand the original scope of this investigation to include objects which communicate a greater sense of the original loss of function as well as the phases of emotional and physical healing. These pieces will present viewers with some of the problems of limited mobility and stability. Other pieces will show means of adaptation to these obstacles. Inspiration for this work aesthetically will be from domestic architecture, tools of craft, and plant forms.
|
|
Emotional Isolation
2014
9" x 12" x 36"
Aluminum
|
|
A Tool for Standing
2014
12" x 14" x 36"
Steel, Carbon Fiber, Plastic, Brass
|
|