La Fortuna
2021.8
MENTORS｜
Amy Franceschini [Designer & Artist]
Lode Vranken [Architect & Philosopher]
TEAM｜
Zhengxiong Rong [Product design]
Friedrich Brockmann [Architecture]
Tilmann Finner [Computer science]
Vicki Zhiwei Hong [Textile design]
Xiaoting Tan [Interaction design]
Albert Papenhausen Fusture [Architecture]
Workshop of "The Untold River" curated by Formafantasma at Design Campus, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
The workshop emanated around the making of a river-powered printing press. The main water wheel and printing mechanisms were inspired by forms found around the Pillnitz Palace and the handmade graphic motifs were inspired by the Ise-Katagami- paper stencils in the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen collection. Design challenges included mobility of the press, how the water wheel engaged the press and how it involved the public - namely how could the form and function invite people into new relations with the river.
Workshop participants attuned themselves to various aspects of river; Mercury, Currents, Molecules, the Arboreal, Silt, Moss, Avian and Aquatic Life. These roles guided the work flow and the manifestation of graphic motifs, costumes, tales, scripts and new sensitivities.
Video produced by Tilmann Finner
INSPIRATIONS
THE FABLED CAMELLIA TREE
Pillnitz Park
In 1801 the Camellia tree was planted by court gardener Carl Adolph Terscheck at the spot in the park of Pillnitz Castle where it is still located today. The plant survived the first winters by being covered and wrapped with straw, blankets, and mats, but later, further precautions had to be taken. To protect the camellia from the cold, wind, and snow, a wooden house was erected around the tree each fall and removed in spring. In January 1905, the wooden shelter burned down due to the boiler house overheating. The extinguishing water froze into an iceberg which saved the tree from the fire. plant survived the fire. It sprouted again the following spring.
In 1992, a 13.2 meter high and 54 ton glass house was built to protect the camellia. The glass house is on rails and moves aside in the warm season. A computer automatically regulates the temperature, ventilation, and air humidity of the plant’s winter palace.
First Rotary Press
Support structures for new trees being planted to replace trees fallen from climate-induced disease.
ISE - KATAGAMI paper stencils for dying textiles
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
DESIGN PROCESS
RESEARCH & IDEATION
TESTING & PRODUCTION
Trial and error, to improve the structure.
"Wenn Du mich siehst, dann weine" (If you see me, Weep) are the words inscribed in stones along the River Elbe in Dresden. These stones are called 'Hunger Stones' and are a type of hydrological landmark. When water levels went down severely during a drought, people carved into these rocks as a warning for future generations. Their name comes from centuries of droughts followed by starvation from failed crops. Hunger Stones mark the water level and warn future generations of the likely famine and hardship to come whenever the stones became visible again. Another stone features an inscription "Neplač holka, nenaříkej, když je sucho, pole stříkej". ("Girl, don't weep and moan, if it's dry, water the field".) Several rocks were carved like this from the 15th century onwards in central Europe, especially on the Elbe river in Dresden. Most of these rocks (if not all) have become visible in the ongoing drought.
During the week of The Untold River workshop, August 7-13,2022, Europe was experiencing one of its driest years and several Hunger Stones appeared along the Elbe river where we were working.
The one pictured above was just in front of the Pillnitz Castle, the headquarters of the Design Campus.
The stars will remember us in Dresden. ✨