Research
In Thailand, practices of Ayurveda (natural medication) have begun to crop up. In Ayurveda, it is believed that there are several points on the body that radiate the most heat. From my research, I found that we
radiate the most heat from our neck, the back of
our head and our cheeks.
Ideation
I decided that headgear made in Thailand that would be used to reduce overheating could be made with reference to Ayurveda. Thus, the heat conductors should be placed near the heat points mentioned in the practice of Ayurveda.
The heat conductors will be made of a metal ball bearing covered in lentils. Metal is a very good conductor of heat. This will help to conduct heat away from Emiko’s face and neck quickly. Lentils are known to boost energy when excessive heat is lost. I believe that in the future, food will not need to be consumed for their effects to be felt, so the lentils coating the ball bearing will be able to supply Emiko with energy while the heat is being drawn away from her face and neck.
I researched common animals in Thailand and I discovered that there is an abundance of the Eld’s deer. I realised that the horns of the deer could be used as the body of the headpiece.
The “heat absorbers” could be placed strategically at the tips of the antlers such that they would touch Emiko’s face and neck. I was inspired by the show “Shadow and Bone” where the main character has deer antlers embedded into her skin near where her collarbone is.
I needed an outlet for the heat to travel to from Emiko’s face. For this, I decided that a small metal cube, representing an energy storage port could be used. I covered a cube of foam in aluminium foil.
I had initially wanted to attach the cube to the body of the headgear with marble and a groove, but I realised that this made it very unstable and the cube kept falling off. I passed a metal wire through the cube instead, and I realised that the wire could also serve to transfer the energy from the “heat absorbers” to the metal cube. I also decided to add a button to this energy storage port that could be pressed to release the energy stored in a burst, giving Emiko a sudden boost of energy to run faster. I made this button by gluing a large pink button and a metal ball bearing to the metal cube.
I realised that hole the metal wire created in the side of the cube was not aesthetically pleasing, so I surrounded it with orange lentils both to conceal the hole and to serve the purpose of providing extra energy to Emiko, just like the lentils on the “heat absorbers.”
Creating the Final Product
I sketched out what the headpiece would look like when worn. I realised that if the metal cube were to be connected to the front below the chin. The back of the antlers would have to be separated so that it could be worn and taken off. I researched bracelet clasps for this and discovered that they were made by interlocking two metal hooks. I crafted these metal hooks out of sturdy wire.
I stuck lentils into the wet clay such that their indentations remained after the clay dried. I did this because I discovered that rough surfaces are better absorbers of heat than smooth surfaces, allowing even more heat to be drawn away from Emiko’s neck and collarbone area. I then glued the “heat absorbers” to the tips of the antlers using hot glue and attached the energy storage port.
Final Product
Side View
Front View
Back View
Reflection
I had a lot of fun doing this project. It combined two of my favourite things: fictional worlds and crafting. I’ve tried using clay in the past and I found that I really like using it. It was fun to let my creativity be unrestricted because of the world created by the book. Since the whole scenario was set in the future, I was able to make up things to suit my needs (eg the lentils and how we would no longer need to consume food to feel its effects). I also had fun incorporating elements from shows I had watched. I realised through doing this project that I liked using my background in science while I am creating my artworks and I think I will continue doing that in the future.
References
https://www.coloradoayurveda.org/articles/mantra-purusha-the-marriage-of-mantra-and-marma-therapy
https://www.jewelry-tutorials.com/make-interlocking-clasp.html
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