Final Project: "Give me a Hand!"

My project was a curiosity cabinet. I used a chest instead, to collect some interesting things I found in the wood (botanical garden). Then, I tried to laser-cut the pattern of mycelium that I observed using microscope. Overall, I try to provide a physical illustration of how mycelium connects all the plants together, embraces them all and maintain them all. Unfortunately, because the kind of wood I bought, I was unable to laser-cut the pattern I intended.

Combined with my mycelium hand project (image 1), I created the whole triangular complex (image 2) to show that the dying plants badly need some help. If human don't stop polluting their habitats, they might die as the dead branch on the right. On the other hand, if we human beings give them a hand by stop polluting and invading their habitats, then they might live as the green leaves on the left. The mycelium "hand" mimic how humans communicate by our hands.

(image 1)

(image 2)

I also reedited the mycelium photos I took using the microscope, and compiled them into these beautiful pictures (image 3). If I were given another final demo, I would print them out on huge paper and juxtapose them with my project. Due to this design class, I began to realize how similar modern computer technology is to nature, and how going back to nature can inspire progress in technology. In fact, I found that most algorithms and data structures in computer science field are inspired by nature in general, or by particular behavior of a species. 

(image 3)

My other project is the juxtaposition of a paper crane and a wire crane (image 4). The original idea was to explore if we could use one wire to make the entire crane, just like how we used one paper to fold the entire crane. Later, I figured that this was impossible mathematically, so I had to keep making joints. I was inspired by part of Maru's project of casting the shadow of her and her plants onto a curtain, so I hang my project onto my window, and closed my curtain to create the shadow effect (image 5). Besides, I figured that window is indeed the best place to display the cranes since it looks as if the cranes are flying in the sky (image 6).

(image 4)

(image 5)

(image 6)

I love all of the projects that my classmates create, and that there is such a diversity in it. I particularly like Angaea's olfactory zine, since there is such a intimate story between her childhood and the jackfruits. When I learned AP Psychology, I figured that scent and memory have a really strong relationship, even stronger than image or sound. Her project illustrated this concept so well :). Especially that she brought 2 pounds of jackfruits to share with us on class in 9th week. I also like Chelly's book of hair. Everything was so perfect: the design, the printing, and the paper. The book-cover draws very strong Japanese "zen" feeling, along with the clean and neat content. Additionally, I love Karina's speculative installation art about neuroscience. The shape and the visualization of brain wave is so dynamic and elaborate.

Last but not the least, thank Victoria and Maru for giving us such a great quarter!