Intervention 01
FACULTY: Guillem Camprodon/ Tomas Diez/ Jana Tothill Calvo/ Roger Guilemany/
CALENDAR: 22/01/2024 - 05/02/2024
TRACK: Reflection
Quote
TRA
H = HIDDEN GOLD¶
My boyfriend is going crazy because I LOVE TRA
I brought TRA
I think I love TRA
By Yaadig? 
Time Traveler is a thought-provoking art installation that challenges traditional aesthetics and materiality. Crafted from discarded egg cartons sourced from the renowned Barcelona restaurant, Hanhan, this piece embodies the transformative power of art. Ingeniously fashioned into triangular modules by the artist, these overlooked cartons showcase the limitless possibilities of repurposing waste.
As viewers engage with the sculpture, they are encouraged to contemplate the interplay between form and function, as well as broader themes of sustainability and human creativity. Through ”Time Traveler,“ we collectively reflect on the impact of our consumer culture on the environment and advocate for more responsible behavior.
This inaugural piece marks the beginning of a larger artistic exploration, with plans to incorporate additional interactive elements and delve deeper into the concept of time. ”Time Traveler“ represents the enduring power of art to inspire reflection, foster dialogue, and catalyze change.
COMMUNITY
Before the winter holiday, I collected TRAH
from a restaurant named HANHAN in Barcelona. The owners are third-generation immigrants from China, and their signature dish is the Chinese pancake, which involves using a significant amount of eggs. Consequently, they produce a substantial number of egg plates. I requested the empty plates from them, and after several months of collecting, I ended up with a considerable amount of “TRAH “
Location of HANHAN:
What is Chinese Pancake(Jianbing):
Collected egg plates:
Chinese New Year2024
Now, with the approaching Chinese New Year from February 9th to February 24th, coinciding with the Year of the Dragon, I intend to reciprocate to the HANHAN restaurant by presenting an art installation that symbolizes the Chinese New Year. This initiative marks my initial endeavor to transform the concept of “TRASH = The hidden gold.” By creatively returning the collected trash in a more aesthetically and meaningfully designed way, this installation serves as both a gesture of appreciation and a test to gauge community reception. I’m intrigued to discover whether, through this artistic representation, the community still perceives these items as mere trash or if they find value in this transformed and meaningful expression.
When does the Chinese New Year begin?
On February 9, 2024, the Chinese Year of the Wooden Dragon will commence, lasting until January 28, 2025.
What are the twelve animals of the Chinese horoscope?
This Eastern horoscope is characterized by assigning an animal to each year in a repeated cycle of 12 years.
Therefore, there are 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
What is the significance of the dragon in Chinese astrology?
The dragon is a significant symbol in Chinese astrology, representing strength, power, and good fortune. Those born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to inherit these qualities, making it an auspicious sign associated with success, prosperity, and royal status. The dragon is also considered a guardian spirit against evil influences. In Chinese culture, dragon dances and imagery are used to bring good luck during celebrations. Individuals born in the Year of the Dragon are associated with independence, ambition, and natural leadership. The dragon is part of the twelve-year Chinese zodiac cycle, with each Dragon year linked to one of the five elements, adding additional characteristics to the personality traits of those born in that year.
What is the different of Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold, and Water Dragons
In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth. So there are five types of Dragons, each with different characteristics. A person’s characteristics are decided by their birth year’s zodiac animal sign and element.
| Element of Dragon | Personality |
|---|---|
| Wood Dragon (1964, 2024) | Introverted, less enthusiastic, and lacking in good relationships |
| Fire Dragon (1916, 1976) | Smart and easygoing, agile and flexible |
| Earth Dragon (1928, 1988) | Smart, ambitious, and hardworking |
| Gold Dragon (1940, 2000) | Natural and straightforward, talent and desire to be seen |
| Water Dragon (1952, 2012) | Persevering, farsighted, and vigorous |
图腾
What is TUTENG(图腾)
“图腾” (túténg) in Chinese refers to a totem. A totem is a symbol or emblem that represents a family, clan, tribe, or group in many indigenous cultures. It often depicts an animal, plant, or other natural element that is considered sacred and serves as a symbol of the group’s identity, values, and beliefs. In a broader sense, the term can also be used to describe any emblem or symbol representing a particular entity or idea.
夔(kui)龙纹 - First Dragon Representation in China
First attempted
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I disrupted their existing circulatory system.
-
The current fabrication method is unable to accurately cut materials of different level/heights.
Our design:
Notes from 01/22/23
Alternative presents
- Creative
Autoethnography
- Self
- systematically analyze personal experiences to understand socio-technical systems.
Ways of Drifting
- Cultural/ philosophical meaning
- Giving yourself the freedom to explore without a specific goal in mind can lead to unexpected and innovative artistic outcomes.
keywords
Keywords:
- Responsibility
- Accountablity
- Transparency
- Empathy
- Positionality.
Defined study boundaries
Can I understand the object of my study?
Can I define the boudaries of my study?
Authenticity
Was my first person perspectiive authentic? Was it meaningful?
Plausibility or Scholarship
Is this useful? Can it be writtened or explained?
Criticality
So what? Did my actions make to learn about other things?
Self-Revealing communication
Did I show my work transparently? Was there something I didn’t show? Why?
Ability to generalize
Does it relate to others, can it be meaningful for others? What kind of profile is the one which I am looking at?
1.0 test
Term 2: Embodying¶
Templates:
What is ALTERNATIVE?
- In design, the term “alternative” refers to unconventional or non-traditional approaches, solutions, or concepts that deviate from the mainstream or common practices. Designers often explore alternatives to push creative boundaries, solve problems in innovative ways, and challenge established norms.
Present continuities
- The current ways people deal with waste on Earth are divided between urban and natural environments. Let’s focus on urban areas. Before the holiday, I asked for help from two Chinese restaurants to collect the wasted of the egg trays. These trays are considered garbage by the restaurant staff. After using the eggs, they discard the trays, creating a cycle of this material.
Alternative Present
- Every time I visit these restaurants, due to my background, I notice many shortcomings in how they organize their space and tabletops. However, if we were to directly address this with them, they might opt to purchase new “trash containers.” If possible, we could utilize the waste they collect and, through our design thinking, create items that are not only unique but also useful for them. This could be a solution.
Collective design interventions that support this alternative present
Wall-E ForkyEmile
Ways of Drifting:
Diagram:
Accumulative
- Focusing on specific aspects
- Allows for deep understanding of a topic
Comparative
- Different perspectives on the same topic
- Allows for exploring different contexts
Serial
- Di are informed by previous ones.
- Di follow a particular order
Expansive
- Di to explore new areas of interest
- Not an specific order
Probing
- Less thoughtful, more artistics way
- Personal motivations in specific environments
- clear area of interest pre-defined