Sunday November 15th 2009, 5:59 pm
Filed under: Form,Patterns
There’s heaps of information out there about roots and their functionality but what I’ve always been drawn to are the amazing forms and patterns roots can make….sprawling, weaving, splitting, curling. They can take on both a sense of strength and delicacy at the same time.
I’ve always thought it would be most interesting to have the ability to essentially exercise a type of x-ray vision and view living roots under the soil so when I came across this flower pot concept called “Flowerpot EYE” by industrial designer Olga Kalugina, I immediately wanted one. This is indeed quite cool. Also looks helpful for people like me who have the worst time remembering to water house plants.
Description from designer: “EYE is a flowerpot which allows seeing root system of plant. EYE itself defines humidity of soil, light level, soil conditions and an ambient temperature, and then deduces them on the display. It is possible to see all development of a plant and to estimate influence on it of various factors. EYE will teach us to understand a plant better. In EYE for reception of energy uses chemical reaction, between the substances, which roots allocate in soil and the reagents containing in the case of a pot.”
Or, a non-technical way of going about it would be to place some plants in clear glass containers so that you could clearly see the actual root structure of the plant. Artistic yet simple.
Designed by Kristine Jensen and winner of the 5th Rosa Barba European Landscape award, the Nicolai Kulturcenter in Kolding, Denmark is transformed from the alley-like outdoor space of the former educational center into an integrated and inviting cultural space for activities in music, cinema, literature and art.
The circular amphitheater, a signature piece in the space, is used for outdoor theater performances, cinema and concerts blends new materials with old, introducing a Cor-Ten steel wall surround.
To offset the rather industrial nature of asphalt, old buildings and steel, a bit of whimsy is introduced into the space through neon flowers decorating the side of one of the buildings and white thermoplastic detailing graphic patterns in the asphalt and surrounding trees. This detail helps to bring in an element of playfullness as this courtyard will be used for the multidiscplinary acts of play while at the same time instilling a subtle sense of order to the otherwise vast, open space.
From Bustler: “It consists of various elements that are connected to areas designated for outdoor activities: the entrance; a garden where children can play and relax on the grass; a terrace for patrons of the cinema cafés; a large circular stage used for outdoor cinema in summer and for theater performances and concerts; a shopping area; a small garden next to the music hall; and a multifunctional square. A Cor-Ten steel wall and a Cor-Ten steel stage/platform have been built along the two terraces situated on the west side. The playground’s sloping terrain is prevalent in the project, and a new blacktop has been installed, which delimits the area with thermoplastic patterns and street paint.”
I find the pattern of fingerprints fascinating. No two people in the world have exactly the same print and not even the fingers on your own hand may all have the same style of swooping ridges. This makes for an endless number of patterns. Some cultures believe that ones prints are indicators of thier personality or even their destiny.
The way the lines ebb and flow like the currents of a stream are very interesting to study. Features resembling natural topography can even be identified like a ridge, valley, fork or delta. But with as many different prints as there are in the world, they can be broken down into basic categories and are often classified into the following: loop, whorl and arch. These patterns can be used in design like the picture at the top of the Fingermaze by Chris Drury in Hove Park in the UK which used stone set into the turf. Another artist inspired by the swirling lines isKevin Van Aelst who designed his finger prints into some typical objects as if seeing fingerprints appear in things like spilt suger in everyday life.
