Colored Canvas
Drawing Fall 2023 EFS Semester 1
Devices for Connection are wearable catalysts that call for active participants seeking connection through a material experience - drawing the invisible connections between people. This equipment is designed to abstract and simplify the bodies into drawn lines of connection between wearers, optimizing the existing lines of the human body: fingers, arms, legs, necks, and heads. Each piece is an extension and modification of the wearer, visually drawing the boundaries and power dynamics of the relationship between participants. The solid colors and minimalist shapes simplify each body part into a literal line, drawing a visible, tangible connection experienced by the wearer and viewer.
Instructions for use: All the devices are meant to be experienced with at least two people, forming a closed circuit. Devices can be added to and used together. The body is implied to fit and utilize the device in a specific way. Use as instructed and refer to the example photos. Interrogate the space and form by moving and finding its limitations.
Fingers for 1/2/3/4/5
What does it mean to hold hands? While drawing multiple thin lines between the wearers through their fingers, this piece simultaneously draws a boundary, a limitation, a disability, an enhancement, and a commitment for the wearers as they combine their hands into one.
Arms for 1/2
Explore this connection by moving the shared arm as one. Negotiate.
Legs for 2/3/4/5
Covering the feet in a pocket removes them from the body, creating a sense of stagnancy. Experience this drawing by changing the distance between wearers and exploring the multiple pockets.
Necks for 1/2/3/4
Draw different lengths of lines using the three different lengths of connectors, intensifying or diminishing the existing connections.
Heads for 2/3
Have a conversation. Consider adding a yellow mediator. Once this additional connection is introduced, confusion, imbalance, sacrifice, and collaboration follow.
