Technology Rat Race, 2011
Materials: Brass Aloy, Grosgrain Ribbon
Processes: 3-D Modelled in Rhino, 3-D printed, Casting, Patination
Concept: This piece takes an existing concept and applies it to our current technologic landscape. The phrase rat race spawns from the way in which rats put in a maze are competitive and try to beat each other yet never really win or get anywhere within the confines of the maze. This generally is applied to describe the business world of work-oriented people who devote their lives to their jobs but never really reach satisfaction – they have to keep running, keep competing. I feel both electronics companies and the consumers of their products are running but can never keep up. The companies use strategies to make sales - for example Apple released a second edition of their iPad mere months after the first with the addition of a camera. This technology already existed in other products they produce and was therefore a marketing strategy. Consumers cannot keep up with all the newest gadgets on the marketplace. Furthermore companies are competing against each other to have the newest technology, always trying to one-up the other but technology changes so fast they too cannot stay ahead in the race for very long. I have portrayed this topic by using the familiar symbol of the rodent running wheel as the confinement for the competing forces. The rat wears a tie to associate him with business or marketplace while the circuit board pattern on the wheel ties in the technology associations. The piece is worn around the wrist with the use of a strap. The strap relates to cellphone straps and also the physical bond between technology and the user. Held in the palm of your hand this object allows the person to fidget with the wheel much like current touch screen devices.
Materials: Brass Aloy, Grosgrain Ribbon
Processes: 3-D Modelled in Rhino, 3-D printed, Casting, Patination
Concept: This piece takes an existing concept and applies it to our current technologic landscape. The phrase rat race spawns from the way in which rats put in a maze are competitive and try to beat each other yet never really win or get anywhere within the confines of the maze. This generally is applied to describe the business world of work-oriented people who devote their lives to their jobs but never really reach satisfaction – they have to keep running, keep competing. I feel both electronics companies and the consumers of their products are running but can never keep up. The companies use strategies to make sales - for example Apple released a second edition of their iPad mere months after the first with the addition of a camera. This technology already existed in other products they produce and was therefore a marketing strategy. Consumers cannot keep up with all the newest gadgets on the marketplace. Furthermore companies are competing against each other to have the newest technology, always trying to one-up the other but technology changes so fast they too cannot stay ahead in the race for very long. I have portrayed this topic by using the familiar symbol of the rodent running wheel as the confinement for the competing forces. The rat wears a tie to associate him with business or marketplace while the circuit board pattern on the wheel ties in the technology associations. The piece is worn around the wrist with the use of a strap. The strap relates to cellphone straps and also the physical bond between technology and the user. Held in the palm of your hand this object allows the person to fidget with the wheel much like current touch screen devices.
