AR - Adobe - 20071024_1193279455.txt


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The Softness of Things
Week 7, Fur

I am continually drawn to the idea of fabric and body. I have no
interest in tattoo's, however, I am fascinated by the potential ability
for humans to modify their own bodies biologically in ways which enhance
their perceptions, abilities, or pure comfort. How about growing wings?
Or eyes that can see in the dark? Fur? How would life's experiences be
different after having undertaken evolutionary change?

The idea that such change could be controlled by the individual is
essential. This is not prescribed, or administered, these changes are
unique to our own biochemistry. This line of thinking, led to the idea
of adding a fur, making it attachable to the body as a simulation of
what the experience would be like. The experience will be royal, thus
the color purple. Royal in that you are unique and treasured.

The purpose of the hair is to extend our sensory perception. Some take
the drug Ecstasy, which enhances sensory perception, leading to pleasure
from a simple touch. What if this new fur could be acute, causing us
pleasure when rubbed by a loved one, or warning us when a poison is
near? Perhaps it could feel emotion exuded by another's electromagnetic
emissions?

I had thought of adding a light to give it that "attractive physical
look", but after writing this, it is totally unnecessary and non-matching
for an extension of ones physicality. I choose the back and a circle,
because I think the back is neglected as a sensory center. It is a
neutral position on our bodies in many cultures, and can be patted,
viewed, by the right person held, without anxiety. What better place to
extend?

I am reminded of Dan Simmon's wonderful book Hyperion, where AI
dependent humans who never really changed over millennia are rescued by
brethren who embraced evolution.

Speaking of books, I found the readings this time around a bit tedious.
The ergonomics handout was interesting, not for the details, but it
definitely made me more aware of the importance of designing for the
body. A poor product design has the potential to inflict long term
harm. Hmmm, as I write this I am imagining this incredibly uncomfortable
elastic rubber band. One end goes around the head, the other beneath
the feet. The subject must stand from a bending position. It could
double as a rubberband for people, wrapping them together, transferring
our concepts for bundling objects together to that of people.

"Fragments for a History of the Human Body". Abstract, difficult to
read, writing with an annoyingly individualistic intonation which clouds
interpretation of the authors points. The last four pages, detailing the
three bodies, and a potential fourth was the best part. It served its
purpose by reminding me there are those who philosophize about the
somatic, and that it is a deep, sublime topic which demands attention.
However, at the moment, I suppose I have little attention for the esoteric.

My fur idea continues to evolve. Rather than place something on the back, why
not a sleeve? It could also serve as a fur breadboard of sorts for
experimenting with lilypads. Taking the purple mohair and burgundy rayon
lining, I set off to 6 hours of sowing. I envision the mohair as being an
extension of my body, sensing, smelling, seeing. It turned out well, if not
too small. I underestimated the amount of fabric need to make the edges look
good. Finally, a bit of warmth at ITP.

... I continued to add a battery and RGB LED, both based on Lilypad
technology to the glove. I used the sowing machine to sow Bekitex
conductive thread to connect the battery and LED.

Here are a few observations:

The lilypad battery unit is extremely difficult to turn on and off if
you can't see the switch. Blindly grasping for the switch is very
difficult.

Fray check and the conductive thread work together beautifully.

Sow the conductive thread to the fabric first.

Plan the circuits out, IE, which side you want the electronics and thus
the conductive thread to be on.

Make sure the fabric, if covering the LED, is not flush on the LED as it
will effect the amount of escaping light.

Once you tie the conductive thread to something, it will need to be
re-cut and tied in order to attach it to something else.

The battery is much heavier than I thought, bogging down the inner
layer, and is the only lilypad component from which solder needs to be
smoothed in order to prevent scratching.

Working with circular fabric sucks, do your wiring work when the fabric
is flat.

-- Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:28 -0400