THE GARDEN IN EPHESUS
Flo Sargent
A mixed-media interior installation project for post pandemic co-working spaces.
Re-inventing the spaces in which we live and work with designs that implement the philosophical theory of Heraclitus from Ephesus and use extensive colour research to positively effect our wellbeing.
Bespoke artefacts and prototypes for installations which can be visualised and created at a larger scale. When put together these pieces will create designs that stimulate creativity and allow for a balanced experience of escape and comfort, re-evaluating our previous idea of how a work environment should function. These places should have the primary focus of being for work, study and collaboration. This includes libraries, co-working offices and study centres as the demand for these spaces increases as people look to get out of their home or office to increase productivity and innovation as well as collaborate. I will be combining a timeless classic interior that evokes a welcoming, hospitable environment, with the modern-day design aesthetic which uses bio-philia to blur the lines between our boxy rooms and the great outdoors. This will simultaneously bring people closer to natural environments as well their home comforts in an age so full of uncertainty.
Each design answers our planets need for sustainable design that last generations by using intensive and precise hand processes such as stitch and fabric manipulation. These interior pieces should not need replacing as they are timeless in aesthetic and if necessary can be moved across sites to allow for adaptability and to ensure they do not get thrown away.
The collection colours were determined after carrying out in depth research into colour psychology and focusing on how certain palettes can be adapted for work environments to stimulate creativity and create focus. By using natural forms to represent Heraclitus’ teachings and abstract biomorphic shapes such as circles and round edges this has also been shown to have a positive engagement with the onlooker.
(1) FINAL COLLECTION OVERVIEW
From left to right:
(1) Tension Sculpture: Acrylic paint on felt, felted wool, wood structure. (20cm x 20cm x 35cm)
(2) Flux Seating Installation: Acrylic paint on felt, felted wool, cotton and polyester soft cushion form. (40cm x 40cm x 25cm)
(3) Flux Tubular Installation: Acrylic paint on felt, wool structure. (18cm diameter x 36cm)
(4) Flux Lenticular Wall Design: Pleated Digital Print (50cm x 150cm)
(5) Relativism Interactive Wall: Digital graphic illustration created using Photoshop and hand drawing. Printed onto woven poly with acrylic coating for durability. Glued together with cyanacrolate to create the double-sided design and hand sewn accurately onto wool felt board. (21cm x 30cm)
R2) RESEARCH
Colour and Inspiration Moodboard.
References from Left to Right
Olivia Parker (Photography), Wife NYC (Florist), Meta Flora (Florist), Pawel Nobert (Graphic Illustrator), Hattie Molloy (Florist), Bas Meeuws (Photography), Sally Hayden Gilmore (Sculptor), Doan Ly (Photographer), Ellen Silberlicht (Fine Artist), Karl Kleiner (Photography), Carl Ostberg (Photography), Dale Chilhuly (Glass Artist)
Colour palette based on research into colour psychology for public space interiors. Made with Illustrator and Photoshop.
RESEARCH
4 excerpts from project research file
References from left to right:
Wife NYC (Florist), Bloom Felt (Textile Art), Joel S. Allen (Textile Artist), Serena Dalla Garcia Venezia (Textile Artist), Tracy Luff (Artist), Anne Van Den Heuven (Designer), Atsuko Sasaki (Felt Artist), Sally Hayden Gilmore (Sculptor), Polly Morgan (Artist), Olivia Parker (Photographer), Meredith Woolnough (Textile Artist)
Designs 1 and 2
Soft materials used in these designs to promote comfort and wellbeing in the workplace. Intensive hand-stitch processes used with strong thread to ensure the designs are lasting for sustainability.
(1) Flux Seating Installation: Acrylic paint on felt, felted wool rope and cushion form structure. (40cm x 40cm x 25cm)
Design intended for beside a seating instalment (not to be sat on). Interprets Heraclitus' theory of Flux through gradually changing colour and the appearance of movement within the soft sculpture.
(2)Tension Soft Sculpture Installation: Acrylic paint on felt, felted wool rope, acrylic painted wood structure. (20cm x 20cm x 35cm) Design prototype for a large-scale indoor installation. Demonstrates Heraclitus' theory of Tension through the organic growing pillars being held taught and flux through gradual colour change.
Design 3
Flux Tubular Installation: Acrylic paint on felt, stitched onto soft cushioned structure, on 3mm thick self-standing wool tube. Colours gradually change to reflect flux in a growing life form. (18cm diameter x 36cm)
Soft materials used in these designs to promote comfort and wellbeing in the workplace. Intensive hand-stitch processes used with strong thread to ensure the designs are lasting for sustainability.
Design 4
Lenticular Wall Design: Digital print design, pleated. (50cm x 150cm)
Colours and imagery change with perspective to demonstrate Heraclitus theory of flux and relativism. Interactive nature of design is proven to stimulate creativity, making the design ideal for workplaces. The design, when applied as a fixture to a wall would not need replacing making it a sustainable design lasting generations. Ideally the piece would be movable to ensure it can change homes and does not go to waste.
Design 5
Relativism Interactive Wall Design: Digital graphic illustration created using Photoshop and hand drawing. Printed onto woven poly with acrylic coating for durability. Glued together with cyanacrolate to create the double-sided design and hand sewn accurately onto wool felt board. (21cm x 30cm)
Interactive nature of design is proven to stimulate creativity, making the design ideal for workplaces.
VIsualisations of Intended Context
These places should have the primary focus of being for work, study and collaboration. This includes libraries, co-working offices and study centres as the demand for these spaces increases as people look to get out of their home or office to increase productivity and innovation as well as collaborate.
