GardeningOne

Physically all of the senses were getting a work out with this activity. Obviously sight takes in the most as I was out in our backyard with plenty things to observe. The immediate objects that I noticed are those that I am used to noticing... Chairs and table on the deck, pot plants, washing line, gravel ground, rubbish bags, a barbecue and a surfboard. But after looking closer I started to notice things I would usually miss. I counted 8 different types of weed breaking through the gravel layer (although I'm no weed expert - could have been one type of weed or 200). Some of the gravel stones glow silver in the sunlight, a past tenant must have done some spray painting outside and the stones have since been scattered around.

As for what I could feel... As this photo portrays quite nicely, I had the sun on my back warming it. I had recently pulled my hamstring so the bending down and moving was creating tension their which was beginning to hurt. The air temperature was chilly because of winter but it was a cloudless day so it was actually quite an enjoyable temperature.

I could hear the neighbors, Birds chirping, the gravel crunch beneath my feet, and my flatmates as well as my own laughter over the state of our vege garden.

I could smell the chives growing and the soil in general as I over turned it.

 GardeningTwo

The physical experience behind this photo was much the same as the first gardening photo. But with those experiences also came an emotional connection the the activity. For years when i was younger I was blown away at how much time my parents spent gardening, and when asked, they replied that the enjoyed it, loved it even. This to me seemed mind blowing. So I find it interesting and somewhat amusing now that I find enjoyment in it. It must show how I have grown over the last few years and matured enough to enjoy the simple pleasures of accomplishing a task and feeling good about any productive time spent.

TeaOne

With each sip of this cup of tea was a sip of home. I didn't start liking tea until recently and I only ever really drank it when I was back at home living with mum and dad because the whole family would have one after dinner as we would sit around and watch tv. Dad has always used honey instead of sugar in his tea and that recipe has passed down to me and my brothers. A morning cupping of tea also holds significance in the fact that its sets the mark for the actual start of my day. Till this point, I am more or less a zombie. I wake up and shower and get dressed but am still pretty much asleep until I can sit outside in the sun and enjoy a few minutes to myself to enjoy a cup of tea and plan out my day ahead.

TeaTwo

What I can see during this time is very similar to what I can see when gardening because that is the vege garden right behind me in this photo. Neighboring houses, gravel outdoors, washing hanging on the line, I can see into our own flat. Perhaps the biggest thing to look at at the time is the sky. Its always different and can say a lot about the day.

I can hear birds and the neighbors children running about in the yard behind us. Traffic is starting hum out on the streets and music has started to play inside our flat as at least one of us is bound to be playing something if we're home.

I can taste the tea and the honey with it.

I can feel the hot cup warming my hands from the winter chill that lingers in the morning. I can feel the slats of the old white chair I am sitting on bend with the weight I place on it.

Although it is not visible, there is a surfboard right behind me in this photo and the surf wax on it smells of pineapple and vanilla.

GuitarOne

Hands down, my favourite everyday activity. This is also the activity that holds the most interest when

considering what to obverse others doing. This is because the guitar can mean so many different things to different people, both playing it and listening to it. Each person has their own style and each person has their own preferences. Something I hadn't noticed about playing guitar till this assignment was how more often than not I play with the neck of the guitar up high, above my head like it is in this picture as apposed to down and parallel to the ground. The only explanation I can conjure is perhaps because I am used to playing on a chair or couch that has arms which get in the way or next to somebody on the couch and the neck gets in their way.

Finger patterns and where people rest them is interesting and I am eager to observe where other rest theirs.

GuitarTwo

Playing guitar for me means a lot. Physically i ca feel the strings pushing into my fingers leaving indents after playing. Often the strap will be around my neck for support and I can feel it rub. After time, your fingers can roll over the frets which allow you to know where you are so you can play without looking.

I sit our on our upstairs deck and play in the afternoon sun. You can see the harbour and Massey university and several other building around wellington and also Mt. Vic lookout and the forrest below it.

I can hear the music I'm playing and each song means something different to me. It will can remind of where I first heard a song, when I first learnt it, a person that shares a connection to song or anything.

 

FINAL IMAGES

 

Second Print

 

Success

Second Attempt Assembly

 

I made a far smaller cartilage area which will be printed with the soft rubbe so the whole structure will be less flimsy as the first one didn't work out so well. The ribs and sternum are also thicker and stronger

 

First Print on the Connex... Disaster

 

My first print did not go to plan.. Partly my fault, partly the printers. The spine element which connects the whole thing into a sphere like cage mysteriously did not print. I also designed the ribs to be too thin and flimsy.

 

First Print Assembly

 

Construction of First Assembly

 

To get a better effect for the ribs I duplicated and flipped each rib as shown in the middle image of these three shots

 

 

First Mock-Ups of Model Parts

 

 

Sternum Research

Precedent Idea

The underlying theme of my design is to act as a protective cage

 

Initial Idea/Body Part

 

The first thought was just the sternum itself but has since adapted to the entire reletionship between sternum, ribs, and connecting cartilage.