vanessa harden

the subversive gardener

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:56:11 +0000

Continuing with my investigation into existing social tribes, this project looks at the Guerrilla Gardening subculture. The members of this group secretly meet at night to illegally plant flowers, shrubs and vegetables in neglected urban spaces. Although their actions seem harmless, they are still viewed by the authorities as illegal and prosecutable.

This project explores the existing instruments involved in this practice. How can they be modified, camouflaged or completely redesigned? From digging to planting, this idea approaches design in a modular fashion. These new objects function as components that combine to facilitate the individual processes in gardening. The pieces also take inspiration from nature by featuring mechanisms that reference existing natural occurrences such as seed dispersal. In addition to bio-mimicry, this idea looks at various methods of disguising gardening paraphernalia in everyday attire and accessories, drawing on influences from militaria and spy gadgetry.

By exploring the duality of male and female apparel, familiar everyday objects and garments can also function as guerrilla gardening tools, interfacing modern technology with organic products. Secretly dropping seed bombs on their way to work or planting flowers on their way home, these designs allow the guerrilla gardener to integrate their assaults into their everyday routine.

Project photostream

User testing footage

Selected Press

Mk II Agent Deployed Field Auger (A.D.F.A.)

demo

2-round Tactical Gravity Planter

demo

Precision Bombing Device I

demo

Precision Bombing Device II

demo

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For more information on Guerrilla Gardening please visit http://guerrillagardening.org

Photos by Roel Paredaens

Diagrams by Sitraka Rakotoniaina

mouse assisted interplay

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:28:54 +0000

Inspired by The Mouse Fanciers, an existing subculture that breeds and shows prize winning rodents, this piece draws on current dating trends existing today such as internet dating or speed dating. Mouse Assisted Interplay imagines a dating service where individuals meet and interact via their pet mouse, drawing on similar situations that currently exist amongst dog owners in parks.

The mouse owners meet on mousematch.org, a dating website that is structured according to the different genetic strains of mice. Once an owner establishes contact with another owner through their breeding profiles, they can then meet.

A wearable tube-like habitat permits the owner to bring their mouse to dates or events. The social artefacts embedded in this garment serve two purposes. Firstly they allow the owner to interact with their pet through touch and sight. And secondly, they promote the interaction between mice and between users.

The intercommunication between the two mice could serve as a test of romantic compatibility as well as an opportunity to engage in a dialogue. This project offers individuals an alternative way to meet a compatible partner.

Project photostream

Selected Press

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Photos by Jan Voss

voodoo car

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:41:30 +0000

This film explores the superstitions involved in the world of sports. Fans perform various practices and rituals, in order to insure or sway the outcome of an event. This piece observes one such fan.

Voodoo Car from vanessa harden on Vimeo.

ignition

admin — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:41:35 +0000

Ignition is a short film that observes the interaction between a man and his car.

This project provides a starting point with which to begin the exploration into the peculiar fetishised relationship that lies between man and car.

How could the intervention of emerging technologies affect the ways he communicates with his vehicle?

Ignition from vanessa harden on Vimeo.

dynamic street lamps

admin — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:39:02 +0000

The use of nighttime lighting is integral to our everyday life. From lampposts that illuminate the streets, to bicycle lights that indicate a presence, lights serve as a representation of human activity. However little attention is paid to the motives behind the excessive light use fueling our carbon footprint. We have designed a dynamic system that regulates light use through human activity. While monitoring light according to human presence, we reduce energy consumption. This system interacts with users by fading in and out according to distance and presence, making people aware of their use of light and inevitable use of energy. This design serves as an efficient yet beautiful expression of energy use. This ubiquitous lighting network will correctly represent human presence while promoting sustainability

Dynamic Street Lamps from vanessa harden on Vimeo.

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This project is a collaboration with Nicolas Myers

It was awarded thrird prize in the Valpak recycle-more Awards

skinpaper

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:15:34 +0000

Skinpaper is an ongoing collaboration with Tommaso Lanza that explores the cross section between a living specimen and paper.

It can be used for or in a wide range of paper products. As with real paper, the ways in which to maintain and care for it depends ultimately on its use and sentimental value. Skin paper is made of breathable microfibres that allow for temperature regulation. As with animal and human skin, Skinpaper demands a certain level of moisture. This could be introduced into the paper in form of microcapsules containing moisturizers or essential oils. When a skin sample is sent to be manufactured into paper, it is tested to reveal the adequate levels of moisture needed to produce healthy and strong paper. Moisture as well as any other additives such as smell are added to the paper during the finishing process. Depending on the product, the user may wish to keep it in a protective case. Such a case could contain UV protection or have tinting properties to shield from the sun. As well, this case could also allow for adequate air circulation to aid in maintaining a regulated temperature. Skinpaper products can be produced for longevity, or fabricated to be used and easily disposed of. This can be envisioned in numerous ways, such as pages that once ripped from the binding can begin to slowly disintegrate according to a potential expiry date.

buydrop

admin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:09:46 +0000

Found alongside an advertisement, Buydrop is a project that enhances the way one sees products. Once introduced into the eye, Buydrop allows the user to easily identify the product in question making it stand out amongst others.

Buydrop is a collaborative project with Tommaso Lanza

intimacy patches

admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:18:43 +0000

“Intimacy Patches” are personal devices that monitor various vital signs during sexual activity. A graphical representation of these signals is then displayed on a voyeur’s mobile phone. The patch wearer selects whether to transmit these signals to a particular individual or to the public realm via the Internet. This project can also be used in conjunction with existing mobile phone features. “Intimacy Patches” allows the user to engage in discreet exhibitionism or simply communicate intimate behaviour to a specific individual. This project offers a provocative new medium with which to explore the different boundaries that lie in sexual relationships, bringing a private interaction to a public sphere.

radio voyeurism

admin — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:13:57 +0000

This is a space that serves to facilitate discreet sexual interactions between user and object. This project brings a private interaction to a public forum, transforming one’s sexual rhythms into a radio frequency that can be transmitted to anyone with a FM radio receiver. This piece is a subtle way of communicating explicit sexual acts without implicating those who unaware of its existence. It provides a new medium for discreet sexual exploration while transcending gender boundaries through anonymity. This project creates a forum where alternative definitions of voyeurism and exhibitionism can be explored, offering these individuals an opportunity to be blatant without being obvious.

gps chastity belt

admin — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:14:09 +0000

approx. 30cm x 25cm x 15cm

kevlar, sterling silver, crystal beads, solenoid, global positioning device, and Number Six circuit board (unique to Chris Csikszentmihályi’s group, Computing Culture — MIT Media Lab)

The GPS Chastity Belt is a concept piece that looks at the physical and sexual abuse of women in today’s society. Throughout history, women have been forced to endure and deal with the numerous repercussions of assault. Although many of these attacks have been unexpected, several have been in well-known danger areas, or committed by familiar individuals. The GPS Chastity Belt is for these specific cases.

This piece contains a solenoid that is connected to a global positioning system. When the user is an area that she deems dangerous, the solenoid locks the garment. Prior to using, the individual inputs geographical co-ordinates into a software program that in turn is uploaded to a microprocessor in the garment. When the user enters within a certain distance from one of the co-ordinates, the solenoid is triggered, securing the garment.

Unfortunately, the victimisation of women continues to be a problem with no concrete answer. Although this piece does not offer a definite solution to sexual violence, it could provide women with a tool with which to protect themselves and help stop the spread of sexual infections.