Vase 04 Identity?

‘?’ Identity

Processing identity use to be so easy with clearly defined fault-lines between different people and civilisations.

Whilst Project 0142 is a research driven study into what makes a building Mancunian in character, it is the kind of question faced by many a community in the face of mass migration and an increasingly mobile society. We hope to have presented a much more nuanced/layered understanding to this complex question of identity by promoting cultural insclusivity and not perpetuate this notion of the ‘other’.

We recognise no one solution fits all and each community must come to define its own cultural trajectory, nor do we enforce a particular viewpoint. Instead, we hope that there is genuine engagement with all sections of society to counter some of the political rhetoric/myths around identity and foster a sense of belonging.

We believe it is equally as important to acknowledge the virtual world in reference to the physical. Being interconnected like never before, our radical change in viewing habits and how we consume information means we are now as familiar with other cultural paradigms as our own and at times make no distinction. This sense of cultural fluidity and potential for confusion should also be recognised when addressing issues relating to identity.

Vase 04 is the culmination in a series of Vases contributing to the multifaceted and at times divisive conversation around identity.

Language

Each Vase/identity is distilled and reduced to three fundamental components; the arch, horse-shoe arch and nagakin capsule as symbols of shared collective identity and meaning. The final vase is an attempt to reconcile each distinct identity expressed as a whole, with no identity taking precedence over the other.

The design employs a striking yet modest industrial language evoking a strong sense of place representative of Manchester. Gold reveals are utilised in contrast to the charcoal texture/industrial language of the main facade to strike a balance between looking to the past and embracing ‘generation z’ and the future. During the design decision making process, we felt it was particularly important to try and ensure the design appear less austere in appearance. The facade is made up of the following constituent parts:

ARCH

ROUND ARCH

HORSE-SHOE ARCH

ALTERNATING COLUMN FEATURE

NAGAKIN CAPSULE

COLONISING THE ‘AIR’ & ROTATED BASE

GRID

CHARCOAL & GOLD

Material & Fabrication process

Made from Sandstone with a smooth matte finish. The fabrication method employs the latest techniques in 3D printing by laying down thin layers of powder and selectively binding this powder together to produce the Vase. The textured charcoal and gold finishes are applied using a set of CMYK print-heads to colour the Vase whilst binding the powder together to produce the colorful facades. The Vase is then hand brushed with a two-part epoxy resin, which increases the strength and color of the sandstone vase giving it a beautiful smooth, matte sheen.

The end product brings together all previous iterations in the form of a striking, decorative Vase with fine detail and vivid colours.