Let there be ambience
Jaxon (Zidong) Wang
Advisor: Theo Ellin Ballew
A desktop object that creates existing ambient companionship.
Abstract
This project explores the topic of ambient.
Ambiance is happening in our lives at any given moment, in the past decade ambient media has become a new norm, from Lofi Hip-Hop girl to simply a fan in the room. A lot of us need ambient background noise these days.
Rather than the issues of our attention span, this project explores the concept that ambient media/items serve companionship. How can ambient be served as companionship?
The same companionship I seek in ambient media, I also find in my relationship with some of my objects. The tools I use as an extension of my body or other objects that support me emotionally through different days of my life. We have attachments to some of our objects.The value is not from the object itself, but the relationship we have with them.
This project is an attempt at creating something that can bring some intimacy to people the same way ambient stuff and some of my objects brought me.
Technical Details
Motor, Desk-top-sized objects, Digital Fabrication, paper mache, plastering, casting, planetary gears, etc
Research/Context
The project research started with ambient media (Lofi Hip Hop Girl, Deep Sleep Rain Forret sound, Fireplace Livestream, etc.) to find out what type of media people use to “accompany” themselves.
From the personal object side, I started to focus on the design perspective. Do looks and design enhance how much we like the object? (The Beauty of Everyday Thing by Yanagi Sōetsu)
To explore emotional attachment to personal objects, I did a series of interviews discussing a selection of objects that carry sentimental value and serve as a form of companionship.
The research is an effort to find the common ground between ambient medium and personal objects.
On the light side, I looked at light and shade-related works by the likes of Olafur Eliasson, Chul Hyun Ahn, Fred Eversley, etc.