'Tales in Tandem' is the beginning of a series of pop-up installations that focus on interconnecting people and communities through games of rhythmic play, movement and cause and effect. Inspired by the motions of a game of tennis, the interactive installation draws connections between people of all ages and backgrounds, allowing visitors an opportunity to share knowledge, strength, wisdom and waiata between one another in order to develop, rekindle or strengthen relationships.
Material Samples (Tennis Balls)
The installation is made entirely of repurposed tennis balls; no part gone to waste. The flooring comes from the outer felt of a tennis ball (see top right), whilst the buttons are made from the inner core (see middle right). Alike, the curtain-turn-net element is designed using tiny circular pieces of the ball (see middle), including its core and outer shell.
This design gives new life to discarded tennis balls which are otherwise thrown away in the masses, oftentimes used just once or twice. It also provides glimpses into the ball's previous life on the court. The space is focussed around back and forth, cause and effect, and call and response, which makes it the perfect place for learning and teaching waiata.
Patchmaps
Visualisation
Visualisation
Design Proposal
Material Moment/Pavilion 1:
The first pavilion houses a wall that runs through the middle of it, in which multiple buttons (made from the core of the ball) can be pressed in and out. This design serves as a game and an interconnecting between people, demonstrating the strength of individuality and teamwork alike.
Material Moment/Pavilion 2:
Within the second pavilion is a curved steel pole that stands in the middle of the room. Attached to this is a floor-to-ceiling curtain made of hole-punched pieces of tennis ball. This curtain, when moved along and down the rail and hooked to the side of the pole, forms a tennis net like structure that acts as a space divider for call and response, and waiata. It also brings the ball back to its previous life.
Material Moment 3:
The outer felt of the tennis ball is used as flooring in each pavilion, providing a sense of nurture and comfort, whilst commenting on playfulness.
Technical Drawings
Physical Model
(Both pavilions incorporated into one)
