Aesthetic asceticDesigning for religious food practices

15.12.2015Julia Gunko

Presentation plan1. origins of the topic and inspirations

2. research - what is prasad

3. identification of the problem

4. criteria for the design object

5. moodboards/inspirations

6. sketches and process

7. final prototype

Origins of the project. Anthropological background and research

• Food as something primary and essential to every person. Food as a design and art medium.

• Religious practice where food plays a very important role - bhakti yoga

• Study of rituals in general and new religious movements on the basis of the Hare Krishna movement (literature, interviews, field work, online-questionnaire)

Food offering - prasad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DZjKw005zw

The problem

• intolerance and misunderstandings in families with mixed religious practices

• what design can do to help those willing to continue their daily practice of food offerings without ‘irritating’ the relatives?

criteria for the object• universal (holds no direct denominational attributes)

• minimalistic

• reflective materials (mirror effect)

• nomadic - easily transportable

• non-literate in its form and function

• inspired by vaishnavi tradition of food offerings

Sacrum of the project lies not in the object itself but in the ways of using it.

-Alain de Botton

“In essence, what works of design and architecture talk to us about is the kind of life that would most appropriately unfold within and around them.

They tell us of certain moods that they seek to encourage and sustain in their inhabitants. While keeping us warm and helping us in mechanical ways, they

simultaneously hold out an invitation for us to be specific sorts of people. They speak of visions of happiness”.

And this project’s vision of happiness lies in simple and clean forms and a possibility to adopt and change it in just like the owner of such a mirror feels like. There is freedom in arranging a private space for worshiping rituals and certain play - a secret kept almost open to the public, right in the middle of the room, but containing its mystery safely.

https://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/recipe-entertaining/buttermilk-panna-cotta, 12.12.2015

Masking and hiding in space

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54746951697885409/, 12.12.2015

Main inspiration for masking - mirror surface

http://www.dezeen.com/2011/01/12/tree-hotel-by-tham-videgard-arkitekter/, 12.12.2015

http://mauricioarruda.net/en/2013/10/08/serie-coletiva/, 14.12.15

http://www.dezeen.com/2014/06/29/pop-up-linen-wardrobe-renate-nederpel-folds-flat/, 14.12.15by Renate Nederpel

http://www.fastcompany.com/1614734/bridging-modern-and-middle-east-furniture-inspired-bedouins, 14.12.15

by Katrin Greiling

thank you!