Friday 10 August 2012

Subhadassi, Poet, Buddist.

1) Sheffield Botanical Gardens
I am imagining the drinking of tea beneath this; solitary tea pods; tea served from bamboo handled teapots; the water harvested from the structure; a place of reflection, suitable in sunshine for shade and rain for shelter...maybe a bamboo charcoal brazier on hand for the nippy days. For viewing the trees and flowers.

It is a permeable frame through which to see nature; it provides a 'way in' to a more contemplative and mutual engagement with nature - the permeability of charcoal and cloth, the permeable nature of the structure - not alienating the participant like sitting behind glass might be - a direct engagement with the elements but also providing a structure, a place, a space, and orientation.

Could be for the most casual contemplation - whilst drinking tea - or the most forms - eyes closed meditation.

There would be 20 of them arranged throughout the park - enough that you could always see another one in the park but for solitary use.

They could be rented by the hour, half day or day. Part of the job of a rentee would be to harvest water if it was there. A cup of tea would be provided every hour with harvested rain water.

Drawing/writing materials would also be made available if the renter were so moved.

We're used to park benches - this is a park (e)co-creating shelter (TM).

2) North Down Campsite, near the compost loo
Child friendly play space; clamberable bamboo; place for role play; harvested water for messy play. The contrast of its lack of immediate usefulness in this context with the toilet which is immediately useful - going beyond utility.

3) Mudflats Sussex
Fisherman shelter; windbreak; nature-mediator; bird hide (to watch birds from; for birds to sit/shit on/in. Roof water supply for birds.


4) Rainy Day in British Countryside
Snogging. Lying down. A beautiful bivouac. Getting close to nature and staying dryish. Meditating. So solo or duo.


5 comments:

  1. Ooh just seeing if it works. I will post something more intelligible later. Loving the bamboo charcoal texture and form and the colour - do we call it teal? - and texture/form of the fabric...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oooh how exciting it works- my first ever comment! Yes i was thinking that the other day - i think its a teal, looking forward to your reply xxx

      Delete
  2. 1) Sheffield Botanical Gardens
    I am imagining the drinking of tea beneath this; solitary tea pods; tea served from bamboo handled teapots; the water harvested from the structure; a place of reflection, suitable in sunshine for shade and rain for shelter...maybe a bamboo charcoal brazier on hand for the nippy days. For viewing the trees and flowers.

    2) North Down Campsite, near the compost loo
    Child friendly play space; clamberable bamboo; place for role play; harvested water for messy play. The contrast of its lack of immediate usefulness in this context with the toilet which is immediately useful - going beyond utility.

    3) Mudflats Sussex
    Fisherman shelter; windbreak; nature-mediator; bird hide (to watch birds from; for birds to sit/shit on/in. Roof water supply for birds.

    4) Rainy Day in British Countryside
    Snogging. Lying down. A beautiful bivouac. Getting close to nature and staying dryish. Meditating. So solo or duo.

    Elaborating on 1)

    "I am imagining the drinking of tea beneath this; solitary tea pods; tea served from bamboo handled teapots; the water harvested from the structure; a place of reflection, suitable in sunshine for shade and rain for shelter...maybe a bamboo charcoal brazier on hand for the nippy days. For viewing the trees and flowers."

    It is a permeable frame through which to see nature; it provides a 'way in' to a more contemplative and mutual engagement with nature - the permeability of charcoal and cloth, the permeable nature of the structure - not alienating the participant like sitting behind glass might be - a direct engagement with the elements but also providing a structure, a place, a space, and orientation.

    Could be for the most casual contemplation - whilst drinking tea - or the most forms - eyes closed meditation.

    There would be 20 of them arranged throughout the park - enough that you could always see another one in the park but for solitary use.

    They could be rented by the hour, half day or day. Part of the job of a rentee would be to harvest water if it was there. A cup of tea would be provided every hour with harvested rain water.

    Drawing/writing materials would also be made available if the renter were so moved.

    We're used to park benches - this is a park (e)co-creating shelter (TM).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love a week out of my normal routine as a water harvester..

      Delete
  3. Could this be a closed loop tea ceremony?

    ReplyDelete