What Lies Under The Ground Beneath Your Feet?
[TOOL KIT]
The tool kit makes use of material semiotics and the juxtaposition between natural and manufactured materials that relate to water.
There are 2 kinds of tools:
TARP and MAT which compose the mobile space: A mobile space implies set boundaries, which invites people to spend time within it. The more time is spent in a place, the more awareness, familiarity and comfort can be developed with the surroundings. A mobile space also needs to be easily set up and taken down, encouraging collaboration between people with different skills. This mobility encourages temporality, and the desire to change spaces and contexts.
WATER BOTTLE, POUCH, LISTENING DEVICE and MAP are the probing tools: These leverage off of the 5 senses prompting people to explore water through sight, taste, smell, touch, and hearing.
TARP
TARP sets the boundary of the space. Like a blanket fort it invites in and brings comfort. The bamboo on TARP channels rain water into a single stream towards the ground. The continuous force of the water erodes the ground, conversing with water’s power and agency.
TARP needs at least 2 people to be set up - speaking to the principle of water as a connector.
TARP needs at least 2 people to be set up - speaking to the principle of water as a connector.
MAT
MAT is a place to sit. Seating invites comfort. People feel welcomed to gather and stay. The seating proposed is a rollable mat which encourages different configurations, depending on the number of people using it, the surfaces available, and the body positions desired.
MAT converses with the principle of water as a connector.
MAT converses with the principle of water as a connector.
WATER BOTTLE + POUCH
WATER BOTTLE + POUCH function as receptacles for storing and carrying water from place to place. If raining, they can be filled on the stream created by TARP, and if it isn’t, participants can use MAP to locate the nearest public source of water to fill their receptacles.
WATER BOTTLE + POUCH converse with the principles of water as a right and a necessity but not a commodity.
WATER BOTTLE + POUCH converse with the principles of water as a right and a necessity but not a commodity.
LISTENING DEVICE
LISTENING DEVICE invites people to listen to the invisible rivers running under their feet. As a double ended “headphone”, it requires 2 people to use it together, conversing with the principle of water as a connector.
The couple slowly and attentively walks through the streets, waiting in excitement to encounter the sound of running water.
The couple slowly and attentively walks through the streets, waiting in excitement to encounter the sound of running water.
MAP
MAP grounds the kit to the location in which it is happening. It assists participants in the exploration of their surroundings, displaying public access to water - in community centres, neighbourhood houses and community gardens - as well as the paths rivers used to run through before they were covered and pipelined. Participants are encouraged to add in their personal reflections, curiosities and discoveries.
MAP facilitates connection and demonstrates water’s taken-away power and agency.
MAP facilitates connection and demonstrates water’s taken-away power and agency.