See here a summary of outstanding analogue as well digital interactive investigations and experiments for profound insights into a daily good. Four stories, how analogue research and digital experiments trigger creativity for unexpected new perspectives.
Martin Foessleitner FH-Joanneum 2023 foessleitner@mac.com
Dragana Maksimovic
Katharina Rauch
Lamija Kocan
Karolina Malec
Dolores Aimee Neya
The Unbreakable Agent:
A Tale of Resilience
Welcome to The Unbreakable Agent, where we explore the concept of resilience through an everyday hero – a simple wooden clothespin.
This booklet describes our journey, combining creative experimentation with storytelling, all centered around RESILIENCE.
Our project began with a question: How resilient can a common wooden clothespin be? We tested its limits through various challenges, including high falls, pressure tests, and extreme temperatures. The results were not just surprising but profoundly inspiring, revealing the extraordinary resilience of an ordinary object.
These tests laid the foundation for our narrative – a James Bond-themed adventure where the clothespin became an indispensable tool for the famous spy. This story symbolizes the hidden strengths in everyday objects and the potential within simplicity – transferred to oneself.
In these pages, you'll discover our experiments, the interactive elements of our presentation, and insights on general and personal resilience.
The Unbreakable Agent is more than a project – it's an invitation to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and to recognize the resilience that surrounds us.
Experiments
Our experiments with wooden clothepins showed us that they can withstand a lot – often more than plastic clothespins. Which led us to the analogy of James Bond. In our first version of the film, the first step was recruitment, with various tests, followed by a number of experiments depicting the Adventures of James Bond and the Clothespin. At first we had also planned two open endings, which we show here. The final film changed a little with the chosen word Resilience – more on that later.
Competitors Recruitment
Components
Wire Stretching
tension force
First, we took a closer look at the wooden clothespin in comparison to other clothespins. We disassembled it into its individual parts, looked at the length of the individual elements are (including the stretched wire), tested their tension force and weighed them. Even here we noticed that the wooden clothespin offers clear advantages over others.
Adventures driving over it
Squeezing
Morse Coding
In our project, we conducted a series of innovative experiments to test the resilience of a simple clothespin. These included dropping it from a significant height, subjecting it to the weight of a car, and exposing it to extreme temperatures of heat and cold. These tests not only demonstrated the remarkable durability of the clothespin but also provided insightful metaphors for resilience in everyday life. Each experiment was carefully designed to push the boundaries of what we typically expect from such an ordinary object, revealing its hidden strengths and therefore showed different examples on how it could support James Bond on his adventures. It also provides the broader message that resilience can often be found in the most unexpected places. These tests taught us how a clothespin, just like us humans, can handle tough situations. It showed us that being strong and adaptable is important, both for a small clothespin and in our own lives when we face difficult times.
In a first version, we thought about two possible open endings for our movie. One version would have been that James Bond loses his faithful companion because the wooden clothespin is unable to withstand the fire. A second version would have been that the clothespin escapes and flees across the 8th floor. However, the ending was restructured to focus even more on Resilience. So the story continues.
MOVIE
In The Unbreakable Agent, we travel with James Bond, the quintessential spy, as he embarks on a mission with an unlikely ally – a simple wooden clothespin. This movie unfolds in a world where resilience is the ultimate weapon. The story begins in a secret laboratory, where the clothespin, subjected to rigorous testing, emerges as a symbol of endurance. Recognising its potential, Bond incorporates it into his mission.
From surviving a high fall from a skyscraper to withstanding extreme temperatures in the Arctic, the clothespin proves its mettle. Its silent resilience helps Bond in crucial moments, from tracking a villain's car to navigating treacherous environments. In the climactic scene, stripped of his gadgets, Bond relies solely on the clothespin to outwit his enemies. This humble object becomes a vital tool of survival and strategy.
The movie concludes with a toast to resilience, as Bond raises his martini, garnished with the clothespin, in honor of the unexpected hero. Through engaging storytelling and thrilling action, The Unbreakable Agent highlights the power of resilience, symbolized by an everyday object that becomes an indispensable spy gear. In this final scene, the clothespin serves not just as a tool but as a symbol of enduring strength and adaptability, mirroring the qualities Bond himself embodies.
Resilience
The clothespin in The Unbreakable Agent symbolises personal resilience. It reminds us that just as the clothespin withstands various tests, we too have the strength to face life's challenges. This project highlights that true resilience lies in our ability to adapt and recover, mirroring the humble yet enduring nature of a simple clothespin. It's a testament to finding extraordinary strength in everyday resilience.
Final Presentation
With our final presentation, we wanted to show what a simple wooden clothespin can achieve and then apply it to personal resilience. To do this, we incorporated a few small tasks that on the one hand test resilience, but above all strengthen it through reflection. In addition to eating popcorn with a clothespin and grabbing cards with it, the two main tasks included some resilience cards and a quiz game.
resilience Cards
Our project included an interactive activity where participants matched key resilience-related phrases to corresponding concepts. This exercise, titled Connecting Resilience Definitions, involved aligning phrases such as “Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow” with words like “Opportunity”. The activity aimed to deepen understanding of resilience by exploring its different facets, such as opportunity, success, strength, and perseverance.
It was a reflective and engaging
way to encourage participants
to think about the various
aspects of resilience in both
personal and broader contexts.
Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. – Oppo un Every effort brings you closer to success. – Succ
Believe in your ability to overcome obstacles. – A Challenge yourself, and discover your strength. – S n
The journey may be tough, but so are you. – Tou hn
Small victories lead to significant triumphs. – T u p
Focus on progress, not perfection. – P o
You possess the power to conquer challenges. – Pow Difficulties refine, they don t define you. – R fin n Keep pushing, the breakthrough is near. – B ak h ou
Success is born from perseverance. – P v anc
Challenge the impossible, achieve the extraordinary. – Ach v n
Your determination fuels your destination. – D natio
Face the fear, find the freedom on the other side. – F o
Turn obstacles into stepping stones to success. – S pp n S on Strive for excellence, not perfection. – Exc nc
In adversity, find your greatest motivation. – otivatio
See every challenge as a chance to shine. – Chanc
Build resilience by embracing discomfort and uncertainty. – E ac n
Every stumble is a stepping stone to greater resilience. – S pp n S on Forge a resilient spirit through self–reflection and growth. – R fl ctio
Plant the seeds of resilience, reap the fruits of triumph. – F u
Resilience isn t avoiding challenges but facing them courageously. – Cou a
Discover your inner warrior, resilience is your armor. – A o
Train your mind to find strength in adversity. – S n
Acknowledge setbacks, but let resilience redefine your path. – R fin tio
Transform hardships into opportunities for resilience. – Oppo un ti
Build resilience by adapting to discomfort and uncertainty. – A ap atio
Every challenge is an opportunity to cultivate resilience. – Cu tivatio
Resilience is your compass in navigating life's storms. – Co pa
For the Connecting Resilience Definitions activity, the participants engaged in a thought-provoking exercise that not only tested their understanding of resilience but also stimulated discussions about its practical application in daily life. As they connected phrases to concepts, it sparked insightful conversations, highlighting how resilience manifests in diverse ways, from overcoming personal challenges to achieving collective success. These photos captures the essence of the activity, showcasing our peers actively participating and collaboratively discovering the multifaceted nature of resilience.
Quiz Game
Our project included a Kahoot game, The Resilient Clothespin Challenge, which invited participants to engage with the concept of resilience. This interactive game featured questions about the clothespin's role in our movie and its real-life tests, encouraging creative thinking about resilience. It was a fun way to reinforce the project's themes and fostered an engaging and educational experience for all participants.
