85701 Research Based Design WEEK 11 GRASSROOTS: NEW GROWTH

Since mid-semester break, Grassroots has undergone various changes. After creating a helium balloon and suspended plant proto-type, we discovered that the weight of the plants was going to be a serious issue – one balloon held only 9 grams. However, the real problems were of council origin. According to the council, it will be impossible to tie or anchor anything to the walls of Foley St, even the bars and window grills. Furthermore, the council has prohibited the use of any more than 20 balloons, as they may escape, which effectively destroys our idea, forcing us back to square one.

We were a very dejected group as we tried to come up with solutions to our problems. We brainstormed forlornly for the duration of the class, and eventually came up with some possibilities that looked promising. However, these new ideas involved building a free-standing structure from which to suspend our plants and create the overhead canopy, which would involve time and could be quite costly.

Group brainstorm!

Using the measurements I took and our design specs, I managed to get some outside help in the form of my Dad’s company, who offered to engineer and build us a structure free of charge! And we are back in business!

Sketches of our proposed frame, rendered by Adrian

At the same time, I have been working hard to develop and complete the flower costume for our Green Performer to wear out in the streets and on the Open House night. It was a great excuse to peruse Style.com and other fashion-y things for inspiration!

Imagine these shoes with the flower costume...amazing! (2009, The Flower Spy)

Feeling floral. (2008, The Daily Mail)

Jean Paul Gaultier's nature/jungle themed collection. Wow. (2010, Style.com)

I began by patterning and making a basic pink shift dress, then the team pitched in with making hundreds of small fabric puff ‘flowers’ to cover the dress.

Fabric flower-making bee!

Then began the long and tedious job of sewing the flowers all over the dress...

The outfit in progress

When complete, the overall effect will look amazing – the dress will be a stunning, handmade piece that really reflects the values of Grassroots and will help in communicating our concept strongly and aesthetically.

We’ve also set up a Tumblr blog, which we will direct people to via cards handed out by the Green Performer.

Sam's fab design for our promo cards!

It will document the Green Performer’s excursions in the city and interactions with the public, as well as a visual history of our inspirations in artworks and greenspaces in Sydney and around the world. Check it out at designgrassroots.tumblr.com. Next week we will be going on the first of our excursions with the Green Performer. We plan to do several excursions, some in the Foley and Oxford St area and some in the CBD, exposing Grassroots via the Green Performer to a maximum range of places and people.

When researching Gaultier I came across a great article about a gardening artist of sorts - Patrick Blanc, who creates amazing vertical garden installations. They are virtual sheets of greenery carpeting walls, buildings - you name it, he greenifies it. His work is really eco-conscious architecture, alive and growing on a formulated no-dirt, self-watering and fertilising felt frame. What a powerful way to promote urban green space.

Patrick Blanc's amazing 'vertical gardens' (2006, ping mag)

REFERENCE LIST

2009, Flower Spy, Chaussures de Fleurs (Flower Shoes), Blogger, viewed on 16/10/2010, http://internationalflowerspy.blogspot.com/2009/03/flower-shoes.html

2008, The Daily Mail, Blooming Tasty , Associated Newspapers Ltd, viewed on 16/10/2010, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1020389/Fashion-news.html

2010, Style.com, Jean Paul Gaultier, Conde Nast, viewed 16/10/2010, http://www.style.com/

2006, ping mag, Vertical Garden: the art of organic architecture, Yes! Communications, viewed on 17/10/2010, http://pingmag.jp/2006/12/08/vertical-garden-the-art-of-organic-architecture/