Some birds weave together grass and twigs to form a basket. Others might use binding materials, such as mud or even their own saliva to build or help support the nest. Depending on the location and climate of the bird's habitat, birdnests might need to serve different purposes.
Mindful(ness) Bulbs study how individuals experience physical spaces as parts of their emotions, thoughts, presence among others. The organic, light feel of these personal hubs invites you to take a moment to reflect, breathe, perhaps meditate in the middle of open space. Fundamental to this is the craft based on Cardboard. The neutral and malleable structure of the cardboard allows for ease in transport or modification. These properties make the material a great medium for installations or for temporary constructions that might be built on-site or disposed of shortly after. Inspired by the act of a bird building its safe, delicate nest, or the act of cocooning, this project aims to create novel, organic structures that can be manipulated by their users, or to create architectural models that allow their users to interact with the material. This transformative basis of the concept and the cardboard material encourages the user to reflect on the changes of emotions or thoughts as they experience getting in and going out of the bulb sculptures.
Mindfulness Bulbs are envisioned to be built on a human scale. Depending on the room or outdoor space for installation, an appropriate variation of a bulb could be chosen. The initial idea being a hanging nest or bulb where individuals could utilize as quick individual meditation hubs, the idea was later extended to include variations. These variations take the existing variety of birds’ nests in nature as a source of inspiration. Construction-wise, the way these nests get built inform how our cardboard bulbs will be made: made out of small uniform pieces, clingy pieces that will attach on each other, irregular bigger or branch inspired building blocks. Here, we examine the interplay between interior and exterior environments through the unique characteristics of cardboard. It is intended to be an architectural piece that builds dialogue around how we relate to spaces, safety, or comfort zones while we survive within crowds.
The study of animal architecture, particularly birds’ homes, is key to this project. From weaverbirds that weave nests out of fresh grass stalks to penguins who nest on cliffs, I research to better understand animals’ survival behavior through their nest-building habits. In the commercial space, I investigate Coop Himmelb(l)au and Haus-Rucker-Co’s Utopia Architecture. Their approach explores Freud's psychoanalysis and the relationships between the architectural environment and individual perceptions of it. Alike their pneumatic structures or inflatables in city streets, Mindfulness Bulbs also invites public participation. As an additional layer of thought, I also benefit from the readings of Feng Shui. These principles highlight studies indicating that our instinctive urges can be guided merely by the presence and arrangement of nonhuman beings, and architecture, unconsciously reflects ideas of cosmic order, values, and social reality. Mindfulness Bulbs motivates that in the midst of chaos or challenges, we might want to inspect the comforting behavior of other species or draw inspiration from those who previously tried to build similar, tangible space structures for people. I hope that this project also aids in providing a physical channel that will remind others to spare time for mindful practices, and for well-being that is ultimately essential to our survival. In my project, I use a very natural, well-known material: cardboard. However, given more time and resource diversity in size, material binding techniques, or sculptural materials could be achieved. As I consider the exponential growth of technology in today’s age, I expect that Mindfulness Bulbs might spark ideas in the digital space, that will aim to leverage human well-being.
