STARTING WITH DANCERS
Graduation project, Design Academy Eindhoven
in collaboration with Scapino Ballet & programmer Sami Sabik
Although our bodies are evolved to move, we tend to design our objects based on monofunctional use and posture. Technology is taking over more functions our bodies were used to execute, developing a useless body for tomorrow. Instead of using our body for productive life, we compensate the lack thereof with leisure activities. Moving our body becomes a choice, a lifestyle and therewith segregated.
By observing dancers of the Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Govert found movements that positively relate with emotions. Full body movement correlates with happiness. The most static and dominant activity we have in daily life is sitting (behind the computer). To make this activity dynamic, Govert made an exo skeleton chair that allows the body to move freely. Sami Sabik worked on the digital translation. The gravity point of the body moves the mouse and you'll click by kicking a leg. With this chair the body dynamics become functional, bringing functionality more close to the amount and frequency our bodies are evolved to move for.
awards:
nominee - Keep an Eye Grant 2014
nominee - Gijs Bakker Award 2014
won: Brain Award - Innovation (Bright Move & TU/e) 2015
publications:
The Guardian
Reuters
DeZeen
Fast Company
Trend Tablet by Lidewij Edelkoort
Volkskrant Magazine
Experimenta
VPRO