Concept¶
mediators of the unknown
Connecting with the Otherness through biofabrication
"The 'Odd Friends' project explores the concept of otherness by engaging with unfamiliar territories and its matter, where I, as an artist, encounter and transform the 'Other' through biofabrication. The process begins by immersing myself in unknown environments and collecting natural materials that represent the unfamiliar. Through the creation of handmade sculptures, these materials are transformed and blended with my own craft, serving as intermediaries that bridge the gap between self and other.
The sculptures represent a dialectic process of transformation, where the alien is not conquered but engaged with and understood. As I interact with the materials, I develop a deeper connection with the unfamiliar, moving beyond mere recognition to a reconciliation where self and other become intertwined. The project highlights this transformation, culminating in a moment when I realize that I have become the Other — the territory and I are no longer separate but mutually shaped and transformed through this process.
Moodboard
Personal connection¶
This project stems from my personal experience of being in a foreign country and the need to find an authentic way to connect with my surroundings. As an artist and craftswoman, I am seeking to establish a deep relationship with the territory and its materials, overcoming the barriers of unfamiliarity. The "Odd Friends" are a way of connecting with what is different, both physically and emotionally, transforming the strange into something close and understandable. Through this process, I am creating a dialogue with the nature and culture around me, while reconciling my artistic identity in a new context.
Ws¶
Why?
To explore the concept of otherness and foster a deeper, empathetic connection with the unfamiliar.
What?
Handmade sculptures crafted from natural materials gathered from the land using biofabrication techniques.
Who?
The project targets artists, artisans, creators on the move, and individuals seeking alternative ways of relating to their surroundings,
When?
The project is an ongoing exploration, present in my current and future works, as it serves as a continuous way of carrying forward my artistic practice
Where?
Vizcaya´s forest (strange territory I explore to gather matter) and the Basque biodesign center (lab & craft space where matter is transform into the "Odd friends").
How?
By immersing myself in unknown environments to collect natural materials, then blending them with familiar lab and craft materials through biofabrication techniques to create the dolls, symbolizing connection and transformation.
Concept development¶
The most common human reaction to the unknown is fear, reluctance, rejection. Alongside fear, there is an innate curiosity that drives humans to explore the unknown, but sometimes this curiosity is coupled with a tendency to control or dominate what is perceived as unfamiliar or threatening.
What if we found a different way to relate to the unknown, one that embraces curiosity and connection instead of fear and control?
1. The Encounter with Otherness:¶
Otherness: (In Hegelian terms) what is different, alien, or unfamiliar => yet this difference is a necessary counterpart in the process of self-recognition, in other words, self-awareness is only achieved through the encounter with what is different.
=> As I immerse myself in the foreing land and gather materials from that environment the dialectic of recognition begins
For this project the subject that embodies "the other" is the forest of Viscaya => my first approach is to explore and collect available matter + data from the land.
2. (Reciprocal) Transformation:¶
In the process of biofabrication, the unfamiliar matter is transformed, mixed with familiar materials, and through this interaction, the alien is assimilated and reconfigured into something that I can begin to understand and relate to.
Fabrication:
=> Allows an intimate engagement with nature (otherness)
=> A way to bring the land into familiar space (the lab) => bring that Other into my being.
=> Process of digesting otherness leads to personal transformation
=> As fabrication goes on, a reciprocal transformation begins silently, where the boundaries between self and other begin to blur,
3. Reconciliation¶
Reciprocal transformation leads to reconciliation => the Other and I are no longer opposing forces but parts of a greater unity, I begin to see how Im part of the land too (interdependent).
I am no longer separate from the Other (the unknown territory or its materials), but have absorbed and internalized its presence => have become the Other.
So now that "Other" is no longer something foreign to be mastered or feared, but something intricately connected to who I am now.
Mediators of the unknown: the "Odd Friends" sculptures are the result of the dialogue with the land and materials.
=> symbolize this reconciliation between what is known and unknown => self & other => reflections of both the environment and I have engaged
References¶
Eva Hesse
While not biofabrication in the strictest sense, Eva Hesse’s work with organic and seemingly “alive” materials like rope, latex, and fiberglass brings attention to the delicate balance between the human and non-human. Her tactile, process-oriented works evoke themes of care and vulnerability. She explored materiality in a way that questions boundaries and the treatment of objects, which could resonate with your handmade doll concept.
Key Themes: Materiality, touch, care, vulnerability. Relevance: Hesse’s practice of working with tactile materials that seem almost alive aligns with the idea of creating handmade objects with natural materials that carry meaning and interact with their environment.
iWATA TOMOKO
is a Japanese artist known for her work with natural materials, particularly in her sculptures and creations that explore the relationship between nature and humanity. Her work is characterized by the use of simple yet profound elements, such as wood, clay, and textiles, to create pieces that communicate an intimate connection with the natural environment as invites reflection on our relationship with the world and the materials around us.