Some Kind of Wonderful

RESEARCH BACKGROUND This installation explored innovative ways of utilising optical fibre outside conventional commercial applications. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION Typically optical fibre is used to carry information; its use as a design material is a less explored territory. The material aspect of fibre optics and its ability to emit light was exploited to recreate a 'natural', magical experience for the viewer. The work also experimented with the juxtaposition of this high-tech material with humble materials, such as paper baking cups, and the application of traditional handcrafted techniques in its construction. The optical fibres were woven by hand in a very traditional craft technique to create a trio of nets each holding a glass fish bowl suspended like oversized raindrops from a cloud. The clouds were made from 30,000 baking cups glued together by hand. LEDs from the knots of the optical net appeared like stars in a clear night sky; fish swam in luminous raindrops falling from the clouds. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE Installed at the FUEL (Fostering Undergraduate Exposure on Location) Collection, Philadelphia, following a preview at 'Design Within Reach' during Design Philadelphia 2007, where 500 designers were showcased, the work was subsequently installed at the Euroluce Centre, Melbourne, as part of the 2007 State of Design Festival. It was later featured in the international design journal On Site Review (Canada) in 2009.