mingling pots
mingling pots
My vision for this project was creating ceramic planters that had purposeful holes in them. By using ceramics as the material for the planters, it adds a level of durability and longevity to the product. I wanted my intervention to be functional and aesthetically pleasing. The holes allow oxygen to get through to the roots, thus preventing root rot as well as encouraging co-mingling with other similar potted plants.
The result of this was a very authentic wabi sabi style product. I fused my knowledge of gardening and product design together. I created depth in my visual presentation by using boxes as elevation for some of my pots. On top of these boxes were patches of dirt, to demonstrate how I am bringing nature into one’s home. The tapestry woven with gold brought a homey elegance and the fruit represented growth. Learning so much about plants, material studies, crafts, sustainability, and implementing new values benefitted my work and me as a designer.
Experimentation
I extensively researched wabi sabi philosophy for inspiration. During the project, I encountered trial and error. I thoroughly experimented as well as researching the entire production process ceramics go through before entering a store. To incorporate the holes in the planters, I experimented with different methods and aesthetics. Initially, I considered using 3D printed filament as a connector between two separate ceramic pieces but abandoned the idea due to the filament melting during firing, the 3d filament would also be too brittle, less practical and not aesthetically pleasing. I ultimately decided to stick with twine and ceramics as it better suited the durability and functionality requirements of the project. I then experimented with connecting ceramics using holes and wire, but consistently made the holes too small. Ultimately, I settled on connecting the holes of ceramic pots with twine that visually reflected the plant’s roots, creating a mingling ground for plants.
