Slapstick 1976 Kurt Vonnegut

Week 7: Untangling ideas and concepts

This week I realsied I have been overwhelmed with readings. I work towards untangling the ideas and concepts that were flooding my mind. It was not entirely successful but it was integral in realising journaling my creative process is extremely important.

Walking Animation Walking Animation Walking Animation Walking Animation Walking Animation Walking Animation Walking Animation


① Reframe, Reframed, and still Reframing 😭

I made four versions of RPO, each identifying so many different problems, like (1) Environment sensors can be more fun, (2)Companies use sensors for more consumption, (3) People’s idea of nature can be more nuanced (4) Biotechnology should be more ethical, and the list goes on…

And I ended up with this: 1st Pillar: The Evolution of Environment Sensors; The existence of sensors; Community-sensing and community data; Sensors as environmental art. 2nd Pillar: Ecology Without Nature and Interspecies; the traditional view of nature; A need to reframe people’s mindset; As it supports more pro-environment behaviour. 3rd Pillar: Towards an interspecies future; Will the speculative design help me bridge this gap?

  • RPO Version 1 to 4 & more 2024

  • RPO Version 2 Title and Subtitle 2024

  • RPO Version 3 Title and Subtitle 2024

② Task Two: What is Interspecies??! 🔎

The term interspecies became increasingly ambiguous as I read papers across technology, design and ecology from scholars referring to words like human and non-human interacting with each other in different contexts.

As a visual-learner, this exercise aims to apply concept into practice through personal images. The objective of this task was to seek clarity and untangle the web of newfound knowledge.

Interspecies Encounter 'A look through my personal gallery for any kind of interactions between humans, non-humans on the Singapore ground.' 2024

    • The result from this task was realising interspecies is indeed so fluid. What Donna refers to interspecies is the act of human interacting with a non-human aiming for mutual benefits through technology. Every relationship between species can be studied from an ecological standpoint to ultimately minimise human-biases. So, what my research focus on is a future where hybrid entities are attached to environment sensors to encourage environmental stewardship. In this sense, environmental sensors are the technology in question.

  • ③ Task Three – What hybrid do I want to see??

    My curiosity in a hybrid future is constantly shifting from humans-to- animals to humans-to-plants as I am reading my research about biotechnology, from scientist attaching sensors on migrational animals to fungus monitoring trees.

    • In my mind, I kept asking - how do these scholars envision a ‘mutually beneficial’ hybrid? - resulting in a constant debate of which hybrid future is the least offensive? The objective of this task was to get in touch with my imagination again by asking what kind of hybrids do I want to see?

  • Googling Body Outline – 27 Sep 2024

  • Segmented body parts – 27 Sep 2024

  • Hybrid Generator Web (failed) – 27 Sep 2024

  • Hyrbids Video Output – 27 Sep 2024

      Is was a fun process, and I think it met my objectives in trying to re-engage with my imaginations. While I am still uncertain about if I should go with animal or plant based hybrids, the conclusion I drew from this is that I like forms that are more mythical.

④ Task Mapping 🔎

After the two tasks, I asked if there were some overlapping interests I have thus far? Can I narrow down to a single bodily extension for now? In terms of prosthetic, I see an overlapping interest in the area of being totally undefinable to the human form. Why do i feel more comfortable hiding behind a prosthetic? Can the prosthetic work in conjunction with the human body? Pulse sensor? Can my human form be a Tardigrade?

Next, I see hands. The sense of touch. texture? How do prosthetic send signals to my sensations? How far can a prosthetic fingers be? Can I have the longest finger or finger nails to touch more mimosas? Pigeons, dead bird…

  • Augmenting the sense of sight - task mapping 1

  • Augmenting the sense of touch – task mapping 2

    I did a task mapping exercise and realised I couldn’t make things I enjoy. I just know that if I am turning my body into something, it should be something cute. An image of Tardigrades came to my mind—I didn't even know their name. I can only explain it by image association.

  • @publicdomain followed on Week 3 or 4

  • History of tardigrades read on Week 7

  • Institute of Queer Ecology spotted on Week 1

  • Initial Are.na board saved on Week 3-4

    Interesting. I became super invested and watched videos about it. Ideas started running, and I just recorded everything in my catalogue of making slides Week 7 - Catalogue update
Thinking Animation

Week 7 : Feedback & Reflection

Reflecting on weeks zero to seven, I realised the problem was that I had to update my CPJ regularly. Updating weeks five to seven made me realise I missed out on opportunities for meaningful feedback and reflection. It was only when I put everything aside and start updating my CPJ that the ideation process began to be clearer. Althought most of them were just sort of eliminating bad ideas, they still contribute to the project in some ways.