[makeshift][johannroy]





PROJECTS:
[RESULT]
RESEARCH/EXPERIMENTS
[KEYWORD]











CONTEXT


During my time at the RCA I was researching the impact that eating on a Banana Leaf has on the body. More precisely the reaction taking place between the hand and the leaf—to understand how these reactions affect the human body.

The research began to explore various other materials[bronze/copper/silver/gold] and while my research is still currently in progress, a framework was created.
A framework of: material contact leading to human benefit, which led me to change my approach of cooling with terrracotta. Evolving the Terracoola project from cooling surroundings to cooling the body directly.

This project explores engaging with a new activity. In the modern age of our climate crisis—a ritualistic activity in which we voluntarily engage with cooling our body.





RESEARCH




SKILLS/PROCESS
 handbuilding



RESOURCE Banana plant as a source of valuable antimicrobial compounds

Therapeutic potentials of metals in ancient India
















September//2024<—>February//2025
 






:Exploration into alternate ways of cooling DERIVED from heritage Indian practices




Terracoola[contact]
terracoola, a two part project [ambient and contact], is an exploration into alternate manners of cooling using Terracotta.

the contact series was derived from an exploration into the significant impact human interaction with materials has on the body.

when researching the reactions that occur between the body and the material through contact, the idea of direct contact cooling rather than passive surrounding cooling was proposed. 

 

 Construction
  & Structure





 the pieces were handbuilt/sculpted from terracotta clay. multiple iterations for various body parts were created as seen above—the structures were made for regions where specific arteries are relatively exposed/closer to the skin.

the wrist-rests forms were the only ones further developed, inspired by the form of chinese wrist-rests used by scholars/calligraphers that prevented ink smudges.


 Application





 directions of use:

  1. add water to structure
  2. rest as it absorbs into the structure
  3. ponder while it starts to evaporate and cool
  4. place body part onto the structure 
  5. cool down





 Usage







Guys I’m an em dash enthusiast—please dont think I use ChatGPT.
[makeshift]johannroy