Marta Zembinskyte, Testing Diary

ALIEN OBJECTS

The test is not really related to human senses, but it is more about form finding through transformation of already familiar objects and process-es. The transformation happens when an object is put to a foreign environment, i.e. is attempted to use for a function that it was not originally designed for. The object is then combined with some other structures and obtains a new expression.

My initial idea was to find out what makes an object seem to be alien through deformation of everyday items while still maintaining their functionality. In order to determine the alien some refference to recognisable object has to be made, something needs to be a starting point of transformation. I have chosen drafting tools as my area of study, as these objects are designed to produce an output and the output will change if transformation of a drafting item takes place.I was experimenting with collages by putting different parts of drafting tools together, some objects were not related to drafting, but were made to do so.

The first step was transforming separate items by experimenting with their dimensions, adding extra parts to them and exploring their limit.

Later I took items that are not classed as drafting tools and by adding elements up they ob-tained an ability to draw. I came up with an idea of giving abandoned objects second lives by employing them for a different function and test how a different function can create a com-pletely new expression and experience.

The end product of this experiment is a bicycle wheel which was converted into a compass in order to draw circles. This new function of a bicycle wheel has created a new object which is ambiguous in terms of using it thus can result in unexpected uses and interpretations, which means being alien, when matters of use are speculative and implementation of function is not clear. Ambiguity of an alien object allows for imagination and creativity.

Another item that does not directly relate to drawing is an octagon tube. While drawing one usually sits at a table in una space that does not restrain move-ments. I wanted to test the process of drawing when one’s movements are con-strained by lack of space. Also when working on a large scale drawing, it allows to see only a part that one is currently working on, but not the whole context. So there is a need to rely on visual memory, sense of proportion and spatial thinking in order to complete the drawing.