Week7

Dragon

In fact a dragon doesn’t exist in reality, but is an imagined and constructed creature. Its morphological and biophysical characteristics all reflect people’s imagination/cognition of being strong, powerful and fearful.

And strength, power and fear together are exactly the most efficient and through way of claiming personal space simply because they are making people unwilling to approach you.

1

Wearable Chair

Around 40 years ago, Italian Architect Gianni Pettena was invited to the United states and perform his career. In 1971, a series of foldable and wearable chairs were deisgned by him.

The picture to the right is ten students of Petenna walking and exhibiting their chairs

The design actually happens in a context of political protest.

A part of artistic movement.

2

Peripheral Vision Our vision mainly consists of two parts . Peripheral vision and central vision.

Peripheral vision is a part of vision that occurs outside the very center of gaze.

It is not quite possible to maintain optimal peripheral vision at all times, but it is easy to enhance this function to make a meaningful difference in overall visual performance.

Optometrists believe there basically 2 ideas for enhancement of pheripheral vision 1 One is the use of appropriate, low plus lenses which will alter the distribution of light, increasing the stimulation of peripheral retina. Another excellent tool is binasal occlusion, which also stimulates peripheral awareness.

2 Another one is to extand the boarder of our vision, for example wear a binosal occulution.

3

Wearable Chair

1

2

" it’s not the chair which acts as a support for the human being but the human being who acts as a support for the chair. " -Mercier & AssociÊs Therefore human body becomes the place that accomodates the chair and its function. Once the chair is worn, it also adds to user's ability to sit and take a rest anywhere comfortably.

What's more, the chair produced in that particular age has some symbolic meaning. On the one hand, it strongly refuses others' judgements and is independent from conventions. On the other hand, it's explicity showing its users' claim for rights or aspiration for revolution.

I'll also try and add funtional components to the body.

4

In other word, while providing a function, design can also becomes a manifestation of our stances.

Model Before Inflated

The wings develop backwards to avoid blocking peripheral view. (vision is also part of territorial claim)

The wings become a portable/ integrated function once worn

5

Model Inflated

When inflated, its visibility is increased while accessibility is decreased, thus a sense of "personal space" is presented.

6