GOLDEN OLDIES

Mila Chorbadzhieva and Eline F. Hesse

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Contents

06 Introduction

08 Research of Degredation of Objects

26 Continued Research Rust (Eline)

34 Samples (Eline)

42 Continued Research Changes in tactility and dis closure of layers

48 Samples (Mila)

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IntroductionIn this assignment we looked at how degradation affects the value of materials. Plastics have always had a bad name for losing value over time. We associate plastic with cheap products, as it is a cheap raw material. Aesthetically plastics decrease in value, they gen-erally discolor, and depending on the specific material it is scratched or can be broken more easily. Other materials however such as wood, iron, for example, this imperfec-tion can have a charm to it, or add a layer of meaning. We associate these materials with the natural and the non-manmade thus we might feel that this imperfection is more appropriate for the material.

After collecting the objects we found that there were several criteria which add or decrease value:

-aesthetic value-color change-emotional value-storytelling-tactility-functionality

We also found that an important aspect is what the perception of value is of the raw material. Thus if a leather wallet ages, it originally is perceived to be expensive and to be durable, therefore this perception remains. Plastic however does not have this im-age, as there is so much of it, and has negative environmental connotations. It is rarely something that you want to keep.

Tactility is also an important aspect, for example with the bracelet the texture of it smoothens the longer you wear it. The emotional value of an object can also be in-creased with time; the metal picture frame gets a historical personal feel to it.

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Increase in value (non plastics) A trace of aging which adds value to a product is the aesthetic of a different time period, the story which it carries in itself. In this case, the change of colour of the metal can add another layer of meaning, revealing a bit about the story of the object.

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Increase in value (non plastics) The added value can come from the material of which the object is made itself - for example, we usually find objects valuable that are made of genuine leather and wood. The tactility and colour of these materials change over time with their use, they are being “shaped” by the way how the person uses them. The shell and the bracelet smoothen over time after continued use.

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Discoloration Discoloration of plastic is a common sign of the aging of plastic, it often makes the product less attractive to use. It looks dirty and old fashioned. Especially with white plastics the discoloration can look very distasteful.

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DiscolorationThe light switch discolors because of the continuous contant with human skin. The packaging material also shows the same symptoms, but for different reasons.

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Accumalation of DirtOne thing I noticed with most old things lying around in my house, is that they some-how became quiete greasy and thus attracted dust surrounding the object. It almost sticks to your fingers when you touch it. (not very pleasant.)

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ELINE CONTINUEDRESEARCH AND SAMPLES

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RustIn my eyes, rust is always something spectacular to see. Rust is the oxidation of iron in the presence of water or air moisture. For me, especially in the public space, it adds a story, or a layer of meaning to a place. Especially when the rust grows dramatically, it shows the history of a place, it literally shows you how long something has been there, and what weather it has witnessed. The color adds life to the object. The imperfection of the discoloration and the organic form has an aesthetic quality. However, functionaly and ergonomically an object can decrease in value.

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Change in Color/TextureThe organic integration of colors and direct mark of time, in my eyes add value to the object presented. However, from a rational point of view the ergonomic func-tionality decreases.

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Layer of meaning

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ConclusionIn my research I found the organic form of rust was something that I felt strongly increased the aesthetic value. Furthermore, I felt that the natural growth of it adds a layer of meaning to an object. Although this of course differs for a product that you need to use daily, in that the functionality decreases and thus decreases in value. I wanted to mimic this organic integrating effect, using materials that stand each other off; such as synthetic rubber and loswas. I experimented with changing the texture and color of material. I noticed that in order to get the effect that I wanted I had to use someting that was initially more liquidy and thus could more easily be pushed away by the loswas.

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Sillicon rubber and ‘loswas’ on wood. I was trying to create the imperfect and organic look, the texture became really interesting, but I decided to interpret the rust to the next level.

Latex on polysterene with various materials integrated.

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Plastic Samples - Eline Hesse

Manipulating surface of Foam, using latex and spray paint

Polysterene with latex texture.

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Polysterene, latex coating spray paint.

Polysterene and G27 with pigment.

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Polysterene and G27 with pigment.

Clear acrylic with G27 and loswas

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Foam with make cup remover, then I put the elastic rubber and other paints.

Foam with latex, texturised.

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Foam with latex, spraypaint, manipulation of surface.

Eye makeup remover and elastic rubber painted on.

Foam/PolystereneI decided to continue working with polysterene and foam, as they are very cheap materials, making it a challenge to increase their value. I also wanted to work with materials that stand each other off, to get interesting visual effects.

MILA CONTINUEDRESEARCH AND SAMPLES

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Changes in TactilityThe walls which peel off and reveal older layers of colour or get rusty can reveal history, sense of time, which can add aesthetic or emotional value.

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Changes in Tactility and LayersThe organic integration of colors and direct mark of time, in my eyes add value to the object presented. However, from a rational point of view the ergonomic func-tionality decreases.

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Changes in Tactility and LayersThe organic integration of colors and direct mark of time, in my eyes add value to the object presented. However, from a rational point of view the ergonomic func-tionality decreases.

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cotton fabric dipped into polyurethane

foam casted over polyurethane; brushed while hardening

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Samples - Mila I did a series of experiments with polyurethane combined with cotton and wool fibers and hardening foam which resulted in these samples. My aim was to try to translate the change of tactility which old objects have - from more rough to smooth. Another aspect which I wanted to experiment with was the disclosure of layers under the surface.

wool fibers dipper into polyurethane

foam casted over polyurethane; brushed while hardening; treated with acetone

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paper pieces dipped into polyurethane

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Colored Samples-Mila I also tried to get away from the feeling of plastic by experimenting with colour-ing it. For these samples, I used polyurethane, paper and fabrics treated in different ways. Through adding some materials within the plastic and revealing it in different ways, different feelings of tactility are being achieved, which can add certain value to the plastic.

paper coated with polyurethane

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cotton fabric dipped into polyurethane; brushed and partially cut

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Colored Samples-Mila I also tried to get away from the feeling of plastic by experimenting with colour-ing it. For these samples, I used polyurethane, paper and fabrics treated in different ways. Through adding some materials within the plastic and revealing it in different ways, different feelings of tactility are being achieved, which can add a certain value to the plastic.

layers of polyethilene partially melted