Interactive Fields | Elena Paslaru

[Course] Dynamic Fields | Responsive Architecture [Web] www.dynamicfields.ro [Project title] Interactive field [Objective] Generating controllable wind fields with uncontrollable data [Function] Abstract [Materials] Plastic cups, lycra [Technology] Rhinoceros + Grasshopper + Low tech fabrication + Laser cutting [Team] Veronica Popescu, Marjan Mostavi, Razvan Vara, Razvan Grigorescu, Mohamad Raouf, Mircea Mihai, Andreea Visan, Victor Pricop, Oana Muresan, Ion Krivenco, Simona Ioana Nastasoiu, Ioana Diaconu, Andreea Brustan, Raluca Becheru [DESCRIPTION] Soft approach, in opposition to "hard" approach, is a walk through all the possible steps of a system. Hard thinking uses preset codes to operate systems. Facing the complex issue of dynamic fields without the know how necessary to manipulating and interpreting data, we turned towards soft thinking, a way of thinking apparently common to women. In a soft, trial and error process, we used small interventions, observed the output of these actions, came back, retraced steps and slowly moved forward, sometimes in a complicated way without having a perspective on the final result of these actions. The small trials-our tests : plastic bags, plastic cups, rubber bands, paper sheets, these were all tested under a constant(vortex) flow of a fan. It was easy to observe how the fan pushed objects out of its dynamic field, the vortex, and the simple idea of having something partially anchored that would be pushed out and hanged in this new environment was only natural. This idea had a visual identity similar to that of a telescope. The powerful image of a telescope, drove us in our soft approach towards the shape of plastic cups. The cup became, because of it’ lightness and versatility (shape, texture, price, availability) the perfect unit to test. At the end we did not find out the most efficient use of this material/shape, because we never had a hard perspective view on the outcome, we adjusted according to small achievements we reached while building on a thin seductive structure of: what if? [PROJECT GOAL] Pattern and material properties exploration in order to generate specific sub-wind fields. Dividing the wind fields system in sub-systems. [STRUCTURE] Flexible moldable structure influenced by its environment reinforced by tensile wire structure. [SYSTEM] The rigid shape created by stapling glasses together forms small controllable fields but becomes an unmovable independent object that works against the fan. Trying the cups together with a flexible material generates a moldable field that works with the fan and adapts to its conditions constantly. It directs the wind in small fields still, while changing its shape according the environment. [MATERIALS] Flexible, versatile usable materials, lightweight, easy to cut, assembly, recycle together