Field Trip #3 "Design in our Lives"

Going to MoMA again, I was really able to analyze the various design exhibits. These design galleries had many objects that were made by artist for the real world utility. Another word for it is called Ergonomics, where you can use the artworks for every day life. Some were better than others in terms of their functionality. 

Two works that I chose that had "high functionality" was the "Basic House" made in 1999. This "Basic House" is used as an inflatable home for homeless people that can be transportable and easy to fold or unfold. "Azua's Basic House is made of extra-light material, folds like a handkerchief and when deployed uses hot air from grilles in city sidewalks to remain inflated and heated." Not only is it a transportable home but is also able to get warm inside, when temperatures are cold outside. Homeless people can live inside these flexible houses without a problem. Another work that I chose was the "Earthquake Proof Table", the tables that are used for elementary school today have a slight difference to this artwork. This table was made for Earthquakes and “collapse scenarios” they can be used for shelter and protection during an earthquake. Also, when these tables are lined up together they can make a tunnel in order move safely to an exit or to rescue teams. This table can be used for every day activities in a classroom and it is so light two children can pick it up and move it. Both of these objects are very useful for people that really need it. Such as people that or homeless or a city that has frequent earthquakes.

Two works that I thought were “low functionality” was the "Table with Wheels". I came to this conclusion because the table was made out of glass and for it to be a moving table, I thought it was too dangerous and not meant to be used as much in every day life. Glass can be easily broken and as it slips fast because of its wheels, it could potentially hurt someone. Another low functionality I chose was "The Three-Legged Side Chair". I believe this can’t be used for the real world because there are people in the world that come in all different shapes and sizes and for a heavy person to sit on that chair it doesn’t seem like a safe idea. A regular four-legged chair is more likely to be able to hold a heavy person than a three-legged chair, so it would also be dangerous. Both these objects are creative artworks but are not meant to be used for the real world simply because they can be harmful in some occasions. An object does not have to have a high functionality in order for it to be a good design because of the creativity put into it. 


Martin Ruiz De Azua
"Basic House" 
Extra-Light Material 
1999

do Bruno & Arthur Brutter 
"EPT: Earthquake Proof Table"
Steel and birch plywood 
2010


Gae Aulenti 
"Table with Wheels"
Glass, metal, and rubber
1980

Charles Eames & Ray Eames
"Three-legged Side chair"
Stained molded plywood, metal rod, rubber shockmounts, and rubber glides 
1944