One must imagine the umbrella is happy taking showers and sunbathing.
The main character of today's talk is Ella the Umbrella, a charismatic companion who transformed a simple walk into a whimsical journey. On a cloudy afternoon, Ella and I wandered between the trees of Victoria Park, the pavement in Gunwharf Quays, and the scenery ocean view.
Started the guided performance at
Victoria Park
The Dance of Freedom:
Using the straps of the umbrella to let it "dance" freely, It transformed into a swaying being in rhythm with the wind.
Nature's Melody:
The friction made from swaying the unstrapped umbrella produced a sound akin to birds flaring their wings. The urban landscape became a stage, and Ella orchestrated a melody that resonated with the wind.
From a top view, the umbrella revealed a structured centre skeleton and flowy outer edges, a perfect balance of form and function.
Gone with the Wind:
Holding the umbrella with the base towards me made it pull me forward using the wind while flipping it around created a pushing sensation. It was a dynamic interaction between me, the umbrella, and the wind.
The weight of the umbrella, along with the changing direction of the wind, altered the trajectory and movement of my walk, creating an unexpected walking rhythm. Each step became a dance move, guided by the collaborative effort of wind and umbrella.
Moving on to
Gunwharf Quays
Cooperating with other "Things":
The circular shape of the umbrella seemed to collaborate with other forms in the environment, making circular or radially aligned objects more appealing to interact with. It was as if the umbrella had a silent agreement with the elements around it.
Disturbing the Still Waters:
Using the tip of the umbrella, I directed and disturbed the still flow of canal water creating a connection between Ella and piled-up raindrops.
Ended the journey by
Hot Walls
Pavement Play:
Tapping and tracing the pavement while shifting direction with the curvature of the pavement design added a tactile element to the walk, making every step a conscious play with the surroundings.
Figure 04 Assemblages of taking an object for a walk
Doodles and Sketches
Special thanks to guest of honour: Ella the Umbrella
REFERENCES
PLC Architects. (n.d.). Gunwharf Quays Masterplanning. PLC Architects. Retrieved February 28, 2024, from https://www.plcarchitects.com/gunwharf-quays-masterplanning
The masterplan. (n.d.). Victoria Park Portsmouth. Retrieved February 29, 2024, from https://victoriaparkportsmouth.org.uk/the-masterplan/
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