Our Wearable Manifestos (2017)
As electronic textile practitioners, we are deeply involved in the creation of new technologies. The ideas we have, the things we make, the materials we produce will end up on our bodies, in our lives and our landfills. As careful creatives we are scared by our own creations. Paralysed by the very ideas that excite us.
During the eTextile Summercamp 2017 we gathered in an attempt to resolve this inner conflict, and Our Wearable Manifestos were the result. The manifesto is a pattern for a work apron that transforms into a jacket with a capacitive touchpad. A two-sided garment to illustrate our daily transformation between maker and user. The handmade touchpad as a comment on Google’s closed-source involvement in wearables. Built-in instructions and containing all the tools needed to remake itself, invite you to copy it. In fact, the manifesto must be re-created and customised in order to be fully understood by the person making it. We believe that the only way to fully comprehend technology and it’s implications is to make it yourself. To wear the manifesto is to spread technological curiosity, enthusiasm, scepticism and skill.
A wearable manifesto is made from a rectangle of fabric. Cut and sewn back together to minimize waste. Double sided to transform from a nice jacket into a practical apron. Wearing your tools inside or out. Ready to re-make the manifesto to show others how capacitive sensing works.
Manifestations: BE COMMUNITY | SHARE TOOLS | MAKE DIVERSITY | TAKE CARE | FOREVER CHANGING | USE ALTERNATIVES | WICKED PROBLEMS | STAY WEIRED
Our Wearable Manifesto
Every Wearable Manifesto originates from the same “pattern” because we are one COMMUNITY. The pattern is a open (source) design because to SHARE knowledge it to distribute power. There is no exact copy because DIVERSITY is necessary. Your version should produce no waste, because we CARE what remains. The design evolves every time somebody remakes it because our world is EVER CHANGING. Be aware of ALTERNATIVES, source your materials locally. Deal with complex power structures by recognizing WICKED PROBLEMS. Resist your inner resistance to STAY WEIRED.
COMMUNITY – as individuals we crave community
manifestation in pattern: we all share the same “pattern”
SHARE – knowledge is power
manifestation in pattern: transparent design spreads power evenly among those who can see
SHARE TOOLS
All the tools needed to produce the Wearable Manifesto should be carried with the manifesto. The wearer is obliged to explain the manifesto. To aide the wearer in explaining, the manifesto is resolved in the design of the garment.
DIVERSITY – “plurafunctionality”, inclusiveness, accessibility, empathy
manifestation in pattern: there is no exact copy, every one is different and all of them belong
MAKE DIVERSITY
The manifesto must be re-created and customised in order to be fully understood by the person making it. We believe that the only way to fully comprehend technology and it’s implications is to make.
CARE – we notice what remains
manifestation in pattern: our design produces no waste
EVER CHANGING – we do not resist change, we do not conserve energy, we expend it to fuel
manifestation in pattern: our design evolves every time somebody remakes it
ALTERNATIVES – accept that we need the Other even if she doesn’t become a follower
manifestation in pattern: use of materials so they could be sourced locally
WICKED PROBLEMS – dealing with complex power structures
manifestation in pattern: capacitive sensing on the body is a wicked problem
STAY WEIRED – resistance your inner resistance
manifestation in pattern: not everything has to have an economic reason. defy disciplines, standards, authority, boxes
My Wearable Manifesto
Jacket/vest:
Three different apron options:
1) Sides dangling (stay weird!)
2) Arms opened and sides tucked inside
Links:
Project page >> http://etextile-summercamp.org/2017/summercamp/our-wearable-manifestos/
Customizations >> http://etextile-summercamp.org/2017/summercamp/our-wearable-manifestos/
Manifesto Pattern >> http://etextile-summercamp.org/2017/summercamp/a-wearable-manifesto/
Flickr set >> https://www.flickr.com/photos/plusea/albums/72157685358842794
Group Bio:
We are crafters of wearable technologies, engineers of on-body interactions and educators of new minds and bodies. Our practice starts with the basic manipulation of material and ends up in what we will wear. We are bound together by a concern for the future of our skill-set. Our names are: Admar Schoonen, Beam Contre Choc, Celine Marcq, Hannah Perner-Wilson, Lara Grant, Liza Stark, Rachel Freire and Zoe Romano.