Ashquarium consists of an ashtray that is replaced by a fish bowl. Inside the bowl is pure life in the form of a gold fish. On the upper side of the fishbowl, some grooves are present, with the purpose of
accomodating cigarettes. The choice to light the cigar and ash into the the clean water, ultimately destroying life, is entirely left up to the audience to contemplate. Ashquarium intrudes in the usual way of smoking, and plays with the sensitivity and emotions of the user.
accomodating cigarettes. The choice to light the cigar and ash into the the clean water, ultimately destroying life, is entirely left up to the audience to contemplate. Ashquarium intrudes in the usual way of smoking, and plays with the sensitivity and emotions of the user.
Ashquarium acts as a stimulus obliging people to question their smoking behavior. The fish inside the Ashquarium acts like a reflection or surrogate of the person who smokes. If smokers throw their ash into the Ashquarium, the water will become dirty affecting the health of the fish. Extrapolating the relationship of ash, fish and health it is intended that smokers experience a visceral sense of what happens correspondingly to their own health, even if this cannot be seen directly.
People can use the designed object in their process of satisfying the desire of smoking, but the object reacts in a certain way when people try to use it. It is not just an object that is being manipulated by people. This object satisfies a required functional need but additionally disrupts conventional behavior and use patterns in order to raise awareness of negative. It is intended that this will produce new consumer experiences encouraging people to think not only about the objects themselves, but also on consumption and on its preceding desires
People can use the designed object in their process of satisfying the desire of smoking, but the object reacts in a certain way when people try to use it. It is not just an object that is being manipulated by people. This object satisfies a required functional need but additionally disrupts conventional behavior and use patterns in order to raise awareness of negative. It is intended that this will produce new consumer experiences encouraging people to think not only about the objects themselves, but also on consumption and on its preceding desires
*Note: no fish was harmed during the development of the project.
**Ashquarium is part of the "Intrusive Objects Collection", aiming to raise awareness about the harmful effects that consumption has on human health.
**Ashquarium is part of the "Intrusive Objects Collection", aiming to raise awareness about the harmful effects that consumption has on human health.
