Architecture & Otherwise
Shruti Jalodia Portfolio of work
About Author
Employment
education
hruti Jalodia is an architect and researcher who is interested in creating meaningful and engaging ways to explore human centered - environmentally responsible design. Her methods embrace complexity and lie at the intersection of computational design, material science, data driven strategies and physical computing.
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Assistant Tutor | 2018
Masters in Advanced Architecture | 2018
She is interested in learning from nature, it’s processes, behaviour and patterns, and further exploring how these can help in designing our built environment.
Gurgaon, India
Recently, In her Masters at IaaC, she developed projects and proposals for automated urbanfarms, data-informed structures, interactive interfaces and tools for spatiotemporal performance analysis and control. In past, she has worked with various architecture firms, taking up tasks ranging from architectural concept design, installation design, and construction coordination. She has experience of working on various scales, ranging from large-scale mixeduse development projects to a more human scale in residential and art installation projects.
Global Summer School 2018 (IaaC) | Barcelona Physical Computing focused on Tangible Interfaces, Lighting design, Soundscape design.
Freelance Architect | 2016- 2017 Concept development, on-Site execution, Client interaction.
Abaxial Architects | 2013-2016 New Delhi, India. Concept development, Construction drawings, on-Site execution, Client interaction.
MindSpace Architects | 2012 Internship, Bangalore, India Concept development, Construction drawings, Model making.
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IaaC) Barcelona, Spain - Material science - Graphene. - Digital fabrication using CNC milling, Laser, 3D printing, Robotic Arm. - Automated Urban Farming. - Computational Design with grasshopper: Kangaroo physics simulation, Karamaba Structural analysis, LadyBug environmental analysis, OWL machine learning. - Physical computing using Arduino, Processing, Unity.
Bachelor of Architecture | 2013 School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.
Architecture Design, Building Construction, Building Management, Form Space and Public Behavior, Theory of Structural mechanics.
Softwares 3D / CAD
Visualization
Rhino Sketchup Revit AutoCAD
Photoshop Illustrator InDesign
Programming Grasshopper Processing Arduino Python
Index
Movie Editing Premier Pro Final Cut Pro AR / VR Unity3D
Skills Functional Prototyping Model making Watercolor painting Pen, Ink and charcoal sketching
Accolades
# Sensor and hyper connectivity # Data Driven Strategies # Machine Learning # Interactive spaces # Robotic Fabrication #Robotics # Data driven structures # Robotic automation # Urban Farming # Product Design # Interaction # Programming # Passive Cooling # Computational Design
Synapse - Exhibition entry Global Grad Show, Dubai Design Week | 2018 Synapse - Best Project Digital Matter Award MAA | IaaC | 2018
# Tribal Art #Context Driven design #Earth Construction Techniques #Bamboo construction #Public Art installation # Interactive Spaces
01 Synapse
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02 Dynamic space configuration
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03 Metalic spaces
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04 Magic carpet
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05 Farmscapes
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06 Beatball
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07 World Trade Center
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08 Museum of life
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09 Building with earth
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10 Karyashala
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11 Willing
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Image showing a 1.2 m x 2.4 meter occupancy sensor for a floor
Artistic rendition of a sensor activated space with user input and control.
Synapse Master in Advanced Architecture | 2018 IaaC, Barcelona Team : Shruti Jalodia, Hayder Mahadi, Nikol Kirova.
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his research and experimentations aim to provide designers and decision makers with an information gathering sensor for users’ spatial behavioral patterns towards a better evidence-based, contextual, data-driven process and behavioral research.
Input to System
Pressure
Position
Gesture
Performance Control
Spatial Observations
Output from System
Using surface embedded Graphene Nanoplatelets, capacitive sensing system along with machine learning processes, this research presents an analytical and interactive medium for user’s presence sensing, position tracing, and gesture recognition.
Right : Live demonstration of Sensing Under-mat, with position coordinates of the user visible on the screen. Left bottom : Ingredients for Graphene based conductive ink used to make electrodes. Left top: A flexible occupancy sensor.
Graphene Nanoplatlets
Water
Binder
Bottom : Ingredients for Active tiles. Top: Active tiles - light as a response upon user touch.
Sensing Surfaces
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he ‘sensing’ assembly can be embedded in the floor or wall surfaces, either under existing finish or in the form of custom made ‘active tiles’. The system includes two perpendicular electrodes, on either side of a PETG sheet, followed by a protective layer on both the sides. This sensor can be embedded in two large scale methods : 01 Large continuous Under-mats: The sheets can be used in the form of a continuous roll that can be embedded on a variety of buildups like floors, walls or furniture. 02 Modular tiles : Graphene electrodes can be miniaturized to be embedded in modular systems such as concrete or wood tiles. Silicon mold
Graphene Electrodes
Concrete
Testing the sensor in an outdoor location and collecting data. The collected data and analysis can be available to the user as well as city authorities via an App, This Data , when overlapped with other relevant city data can give a realistic picture of space usage and performance.
Top : Sensing surface paired with Graphene based heating pads. Bottom: A Thermochromatic film is applied on top of the system, to visualize heating performance. A predefined User gesture activates heat in a selected area.
Applications 01 Urban Data analysis
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y recording traces of footsteps, the system can provide dynamic occupancy maps, trend prediction etc. Such information provides relevant authorities in urban areas with accurate, realtime metrics of user engagement, public spaces performance, put strategies for site and crowd management, perform risk evaluation, predict maintenance works, and deploy sufficient emergency services. 02 Localized heating
Sensing electrodes
Heating pads
Graphene based heating pads to be used in conjunction with the sensory surface can provide localized heating. When a user circles a specific area on the prototype (right), heating pads in that area get activated. The system can be further developed to allow for dynamically controlled- automatic localized heating based on user presence in space, which can lead to great energy saving.
For more information : http://www.iaacblog.com/projects/synapse-2/
8 different exhibits can be positioned inside the space.
Daylight Radiation hours
5 AM
6 PM
Most optimized exhibit coordinates.
Most optimized partition wall coordinates.
Visual Connectivity
Sunlight Radiation
Input Data by the designer:
Dynamic space configuration Master in Advanced Architecture | 2018 IaaC, Barcelona Team : Shruti Jalodia, Hayder Mahadi. 1) Time
10 AM
2) User Engagement index
2PM
HIGH
LOW
3) Footfall rate
HIGH
LOW
Output Data Machine Learning Algorithm : Object Coordinates
Pedestrian Paths
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his exercise attempts using genetic algorithm and Machine learning to arrive at an optimized spatial configuration in a given space. A computational design model is setup, taking in account three factors - Visual connectivity, Sunlight hours and Pedestrian paths. Position of predefined object can be optimized based on these factors. Coordinates of the objects based on Visual connectivity and sunlight hours are calculated using multi-objective, genetic algorithms. An artificial neural network is trained for up to 1000 times to accurately predict the coordinates, for a desired level of user interaction in the space. These three informations combined can give a cohesive and holistic spatial performance overview to the designers. Grasshopper tools such as Ladybug analysis, Bio morpher and OWL machine learning are used to achieve this.
Fully assembled structure with metallic rods bent using KUKA robotic arm.
Simulation showing process of rod- bending. The process involves grabbing tool attached to the KUKA six-axis arm, and a rotating bending tool attached to a fixed turn table.
Metallic space Global Summer School | 2018 IaaC, Barcelona Role: Assistant Tutor
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ecent development in technology is shaping a new urban landscape blurred by digital and physical stimuli. This process is called “digitization�. The construction sector has been slow to adopt this digitization due to various reasons. In this project, strategies are defined for the applications of Digital Design Strategies as essentials mean for the change.
Robotic rod bending
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he project explored a series of methodologies looking to incorporate advanced design thinking, generative algorithms, accompanied with novel interfaces for robotic programming and large-scale automated construction in form of metal rod bending.
Left clockwise: 1) Controlling individually addressable LEDs using Pixel-lite Circuit board. 2) Circular connections to be installed at the base of bent rods to allow them to be touch sensors 3) LEDs attached to bent rods 4) Active ‘metallic space.’ Right bottom : schematic diagram showing work-flow of the physical computed interface.
Interactive interface and data visualization
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o extend the idea of digitization, the bent rod structure is turned into an interactive interface that can respond to user stimulus.
USER TOUCH AS INPUT VIA SERIAL COMMUNICATION
Raw Data Collection
ARDUINO TION NICA
C IA OS
V
MU COM
VIA S
ERIA
L CO
MMU
NICA TION
MAX MSP
RESOLUME
SOUND ACTIVATION
LEDs ACTIVATION
LIGHT AND SOUND AS OUTPUTS
Data Sorting
Data Visualization
Exploiting the conductive properties of the structure, capacitive touch technology is used to convert static elements in to interactive touch sensors. Upon touch, light and sound responses are activated, which are programmed to dynamically respond to changing user engagement. In this process tools such as Arduino, Max MSP and Resolume are used to achieve the above mentioned functionalities.
Spanning with only Cables and wooden members.
Edge beams
Left: 1) Finished structure, with a load bearing capacity of occupying up-to 22 adults. 2) Image showing wooden edge beams and internal members held together using cables, which together act as pre tensioned beams.
magic carpet
Bottom Clockwise: 1) individual members that can freely rotate and held together by cables. 2) Termination joinery of the cables, which was also used for tensioning the cables. 3) Edge beam.
Data informed structure Master in Advanced Architecture | 2018 IaaC, Barcelona
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he Magic Carpet, is composed out of wooden cross sections that create folded surfaces, which can be used as sitting, lounging or working spaces. The idea behind the structural design is based on ‘geometric locking of 3D surfaces’. The design also focuses on the ergonomics making sure that an angle between 90 and 160 degrees is maintained to increase the user’s comfort, whilst keeping in mind that the steeper the slope, the less it unfolds making the structure stronger. What makes it really interesting, is the fact that geometrically it spans along the axis where members are held together only by 4mm steel cables; even though each individual member is able to rotate along the cables, the overall geometry is such that cables and beams act together as beams and span a distance of 3 meters and can support up-to 22 adults.
Production
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70 mm x 20 mm wood section is used. Due to the complexity of the design, a unique and flexible joinery had to be designed.10mm metallic sleeves for cables were used only on the members where shear force was higher as per structural analysis.
Joinery at Cable splice location
Due to the geometry, each member has two uniquely angled hole, which were made using ABB robotic arm.
Cables holding wooden pieces together, and still allowing rotational movement.
Simulation showing ABB drilling holes.
Joinery for post tensioning.
Structural Analysis
Displacement analysis
3D and flattened version of a ‘ non-unfolding geometry’
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ased on a ‘non-unfolding geometry’, the structure is able to span together with the help of cables, and the faces also act as individual beams, adding to the strength. Structural analysis was performed using grasshopper plug-in - Karamba and strategies like adding a curved cable inside each face which decreases the overall deformation by 25% were employed.
Shear force analysis
3D and flattened version of a ‘ unfolding geometry’
Utilization analysis
Shear force in different ‘cable -beams’
Left : Artistic rendition of a street with Farmscapes Urban farm. Right: Schematic diagram showing arrangement of different types of ‘cells’ in the farm. The location and quantity of each type is decided based on site parameters such as availability of grey water, sunlight and access etc.
farmscapes Master in Advanced Architecture | 2018 IaaC, Barcelona Team : Shruti Jalodia, Hayder Mahadi, Cansu Cetin
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ood awareness and availability continue to be two major issues in our society today. As the pressure on natural resources continues to grow due to the increased food demand, we are faced with a situation which calls for a reassessment of how we use and design our urban spaces. This project proposes an urban farm which lies at the intersection of social interaction, big data collection, and sensor driven automated farming, while exploring the newly pedestrianized ‘Superblock’ streets as productive urban landscape, setting a novel paradigm for food production, awareness, and inclusive. This study centers on the two key subjects: (i) Analysis of forces that affect farming; (ii) A design for the farm situated in a specific Superblock context.
Grey water Collection
Actual image of a functional prototype of the farm. The prototype contains plant cells, technology cells and water cells, in a modular unit which can be repeated.
Plant Cells
Controller
Water Distribution Insect hotel
Water Storage Organic waste composting
Grey water treatment
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he design consists of a combination of different modules called ‘cells.’ Different types of cells perform tasks ranging from: 1) Plant cells: Growing bed for plants. 2) Water cells: Grey water harvesting & distribution. 3) Technology cells: Controlling sensors and monitoring points. 4) Composting Cells 5) Insect hotel: Insects play a key role in a flourishing biodiversity and certain cells are made to attract and inhabit insects.
Outer skin -Acts as mulch layer -Protects from weeding -Retains moisture -Strong -Water Drip irrigation system and Electrical conduits embedded in the skin.
Inner skin
Schematic section of a Plant cell, showing inner and outer skin. also shown are robotic arms which are used to control and monitor the farm.
-Acts as mulch layer -Protects from weeding -Retains moisture -Strong -Water Drip irrigation system and Electrical conduits embedded in the skin.
Since different system components have unique space requirements, the design follows a fractal geometry which allows easy integration of modules of various sizes together. In addition, a space frame has been introduced to house the various cells, which acts as an exoskeleton that provides structural support to the cells. Since the cells are modular, replacing, troubleshooting, or removing a cell can be done without affecting the neighboring cells and overall farm. For more information : http://www.iaacblog.com/programs/urban-farm-farmscapes/
Actual image of a functional prototype of the Beatball.
Right: Images sowing different features of Beatball. Bottom: Exploded view showing components used in the product
Beat Ball Master in Advanced Architecture | 2018 IaaC, Barcelona
B Three microphone array Woofer + tweeter Processor + Sensing matrix Lithium-ion battery Qi wireless charging coil
Backlit touch pads
Wireless charging dock
eatBall is an intuitive, innovative, and portable sound mixer and speaker. It incorporates touch sensing technology along with an interactive audio mixing software to deliver a unique way to mix audio clips. Utilizing the geometry of a dodecahedron, each of the side panels can be programmed to play a beat or a clip upon touching. The proximity of a hand to a certain panel ca n initiate activation of pre-loaded audio clips or determines the audio level for the relevant clip. Proximity data from sensor is transformed into digital visualization on an attached screen, sound, and light. Also incorporated is a gyroscope so that certain audio effects (such as echo, fuzz bass, distortion, and reverberation) are activated upon the rotation of BeatBall.Arduino and Processing Programming is used for the project. For more information : http://www.iaacblog.com/programs/beatball-kickstarter/
Render of the interior atrium space, with full vegetation.
Summer sun
Recycling of water.
World Trade Center
Winter sun Hot Air rising and escaping.
Abaxial Architects | 2008-16 Location: Greater NOIDA, India Site Area: 23.5 Ha | BUA: 253814 sqm. Scope of work: Working drawings, design development, presentation drawings for Interior space, facade and the screen of main atrium.
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pread over an area of 21 acres, the facilities include WTC, club, office spaces, furnished offices, residential apartment, restaurants, expo
5 degree drop from temperature outside. Summers: 42 C Outside temperature Summers: 37 C Inside temperature
Mist through ultrasonic Mystifier. Cool Air entering the building.
Lily pond
Climatic sections of the Bio-Atrium showing A) Wind flow B) Water flow C) Sun angle
center, auditorium and conference rooms. The entry is a mist laden path, both aesthetic in illusion and then cooling. This mist is triggered by ultrasonic sensors embedded in the surface, thereby greatly reducing the volumes of water needed. Climatic conditioning became the tectonic brief crafting fins, atrium’s, breezeways and the armature that reposition the ideas of openness and the outdoors within the contemporary idiom of the centre. The towers have a first of its kind bio atrium that reduces the ambient temperature by 5 degree C through passive cooling.
Right: Actual images of the Atrium Exterior and interior. Bottom: conceptual sketch of the Bio-Atrium with overall facade.
Its skin defines the variegated structure of occupancy. The skin is varied for maximum visibility at the ground and first levels and then at the top two tiers, while the mid section defies the current trend in glazed curtain wall cladding
and attempts an opaque skin more suited for the climate. Its gradient-aperture structural skin further increases building material efficiency while reducing heat gain.
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Phase 1 of the construction
A
Gallery 2
Gallery 1
B
Central Cube
C Entrance Passage sloping down
Rear Seating
Cafe
Toilets Seating under the mango tree.
Plan of the museum complex.
Top: Completed Phase 1 of the Museum, on the facade of the gallery are tribal ‘gond’ carving by Artist Mr. Manoj Godpal. Bottom: Interior view of the gallery, with a sculpture by Senior Gond Artist Mr. Shambhu Dayal at the center.
Museum of Life Abaxial Architects | 2008-16 Location: Greater NOIDA, India Site Area: 23.5 Ha | BUA: 253814 sqm. Scope of work: Working drawings, design development, presentation drawings for Interior space, facade and the screen of main atrium.
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estled congruously within the estate,
the 1,000 square foot museum is an ode to the indigenous Gond and Baiga artisans and their labors of love. Mirroring the undulating curves of the forest, the museum is designed to host pieces of art that are placed in a fashion that allows the viewer to glide through a visual escapade without being bound by the realms of soporific and predictable patterns. An allegorical homage to the free spirit of nature, the museum will also host art installations in the open with a focus on the ethos of Kanha.
Climate and Details.
9 8 11 7 10
1
4
6
5
3 2
Section A : Climatic Section through the Galleries and the sculpture court.
12
13
Section C : Multi planer Interaction happening across the central spine.
1. Rain inside the building. 2. Water sloping down to the central reservoir. 3. Lilly pond attracts small animals and birds. 4.Sculpture Courtyard shaded with a tree. 5. Windows at the floor level and roof cutout enabling flow for ventilation.
6. Spaces flowing inside out though the window. 7. Enclosed gallery space for sensitive paintings. 8. Sloped roofs favoring solar panel placement 9. Long projections cutting out direct sun rays. 10. Windows at floor level enabling natural light without glare.
11. Filtered light through the tree foliage. 12. Dramatic light and shadows inside the central cube 13. Central water reservoir replenishing the ground water and attracting wildlife.
Section B : Section through the Galleries towards the central cube.
Section D : Section through the Sculpture court, central cube and cafe.
Finished student dwelling, using stone foundation, rammed earth and adobe walls, straw-clay roof, and mud plaster.
building with earth
Methods Used for building the dwelling. Straw clay - for Vaulted Roof
Rammed earth for Walls
2015 By: SECMOL, Ladhak
- Mixture of Straw, Husk, Soil and Water. - Using soil with 25-50% clay content. - Different size straw increases strength. - Mixing thoroughly to ensure even distribution of straw. - The straw should be evenly coated in sticky clay.
Adobe Blocks for Walls - Mixture of 15% clay, 10-30% silt and 55-75% sand. - The mix is cast in open molds onto the ground and then left to dry out. - Laid up into a wall using an earth mortar - Adobe bricks are a fireproof, durable yet biodegradable, nontoxic.
Conducted by : Saurabh Phadke, Sonam - A moist mixture of gravel, coarse sand, fine sand, silt and clay is required. The different sizes help forms an Apollonian structure when volatile pressure is applied. - 8- 15% clay required. - Density is 2300kg/m3, which is comparable to stone.
Stone and mud mortar - Foundation and Plinth - Dry stacked stone in foundation trench. - Inserting smaller stones or gravel to help support the large stones and fill in the gaps. - Using mud mortar (~30%clay) for plinth.
Wangchuk, Robert Celaire.
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he apprenticeship took place in SECMOL campus, winner of the
International Terra Award. Key focus was on how to identify, interact with and understand soils and their behavior, earth stabilisation, different building techniques, anatomy of earthen buildings and natural finishes. All of the above were superimposed over the context of an actual building process of a student dwelling module, which was designed through a design charrette process.
Structural frame showing Bamboo trusses, beams and columns.
Bamboo Columns of different strengths.
Sectional View
Karyashala 2014 By: Karyashala Conducted by : Bhaskar Khandpal Bamboo beam
Intermediate members joined using Fish-mouth joint, and screwed together.
‘K Pre-stressed bamboo truss
A bamboo is bent and sandwiched between two bamboo beams, adding an upward thrust to the composite beam, which is canceled out when load is applied on the top. Intermediate members joined using Fish-mouth joint, and screwed together.
aryashala’, which translates to workshop was about learning to construct with bamboo and to encourage its use amongst the villagers. This workshop also tried to address the issues of development and lack of employment in these villages by construction useful structures like bus stand and common gathering place for the village. Here we learnt about the different types of bamboo grass, their methods of growing and harvesting. Different way of treating bamboo to make it fit for construction were also demonstrated. We then worked on different joineries and testing their strength. We learnt about pre-tensioning bamboo beams and 2-d & 3-D trusses which we also physically built.
Top: Actual image of arrangement of different ‘plates’ for the installation. Left: Multiple plates arranges with in the outer shell, connected with structural extensions.
willing Typology: Public Installation Client: The Veridian Foundation Location: World Trade Centre, Greater Noida Area: 700 sft Scope of work: Development of idea and physical manifestation. Design of the Shell. Experiments on materiality and suspension system.
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illing is a Public Art Installation that explores notions on Time as a measure of change, offering meditative, hypnotic spaces within the public domain to pause, reflect and wonder. It offers contemplative and meditative spaces where one can take some time to pause and reflect amidst the hustle of the city. In its physical form it maps journeys through the changing inner world, both as natural evolution and self inflicted mutations. Set amidst the landscape of the 15 acre campus of the World Trade Centre in Greater NOIDA, the installation attempts to create Thresholds - offering the opportunity for private introspection within a larger context of public engagements.
Artistic rendition of the space inside, light and shadow creating dramatic ambiance.
Spatial
Haptic
• Heights and distances to allow maximum interaction with the plates. • Arrangement to allow viewing through multiple plates..
• Some plates might give a slight shock.
• Some plates might light up when approached.
• The undulating floor vibrates.
‘Willing’ engages with every visitor uniquely through multi-sensory experiences. The canopy is translucent in parts, revealing the inside from outside, appetizing. The internal walls appear to breath. The ground people walk on is undulated. It forces people to sometimes experience the individual parts close up, and sometimes gives perspective where plates need to be seen from afar. This envelop creates an interaction between the individual plates and the people that are viewing them. The plates themselves are designed to be highly interactive. Extending from their individual stories and personalities, the plates acquire unique materials and textures that layer the sculpture with meaning. Some plates light up on touch, other may give you a slight electric shock! Spatial lighting is dynamic, controlled by the viewer. Shadows are an integral part of the installations.
Entrance of the installation, displayed in a 1:10 prototype. Play of light, shadow and materiality.
Materiality of the plates
Porcelain Made from earth, intense ritualistic firing. The parts of ourselves that remain unweathered, unaffected by life’s sways. Perfect.
23 different plates are used to create this installation. Some of them are shown above.
Artwork/TextureNo material in itself is as evocative as pure human intention. Hand made textures. Imperfect, non modular`, cogniscent.
Chrome - The experience of deja vu. Reflective plates mirror each other. A nostalgia. A remembrance of having been here before. A trick of time.
Iridescence Evanescence, a quality of maya, of being not all there, attached and yet detached, eternal and yet absent.
Burnt/corroded - Things fall apart. We are hurt. Break down. There are scars. We embrace them. Our humanity, humility.
Silicon - Biotic, organic form. Feels alive even to touch, appearing soft, natural, like coral or living cells.
Shruti Jalodia shruti.jalodia@iaac.net