Things I saw and liked

Wellcome Collection: DIRT.

One of my favourite places in the world. Dirt was interesting, surprising, repulsive and exciting. Covering a range of topics from bacteria and disease to Nazi's and eugenics. Dirt explores humans complex relationship with dirt, through a variety of medium: ceramics, illustrations, 19th and 20th Century posters and ad campaigns, artist installations, photography and video. I found the illustrated posters of ways in which to beat cholera particularly amusing and the photographs of Staten Island extremely disturbing.

A young Venetian woman, aged 23, depicted before and after contracting cholera Coloured stipple engraving, c.1831. Wellcome Library Collection

An etching, with watercolour, of a figure dressed in a cholera safety suit, circa 1832. Credit: Reuters/Wellcome Library, London

Photographer/artist: Diane Cook and Len Jenshel/Getty, Staten Island, New York, 1992

It's been a long long time since my last post, but I guess that's what third year does to you! So I need to get into the good habit of regular updating again.

Let's kick it off with my third year work so you can see what has been keeping me from blogging for the past 10 months:

Pendant, polyester resin, silver and waxed cord.

Pendant, polyester resin, silver, steel, waxed cord

Brooch, polyester resin, silver, steel

Pendant, polyester resin, silver, silicone, waxed cord

Ring, polyester resin, silver, steel

Brooch, polyester resin, steel, silver

Brooch, close up

Ring, polyester resin, silver

Cristina Dias

Uses silicone over wire forms to create these beautiful

and colourful brooches, bangles and neck pieces. The brooches have a magnet embedded in them and another magnetic piece so that it can be magnetically attached to the body.

Microscopy

For my project I'm looking at "disease under the microscope" it's amazing how something so destructive can actually look so (sorry to be corny but..) beautiful close up. The idea is that by using disease as inspiration for jewellery it creates a contrast between the ugly (disease) and the beautiful (jewellery).

WHAT IF...Meat could be grown in laboratories without harming animals?

Below, a piece of meat grown in a lab, the type and the shape is controlled. I honestly don't what to think...I feel almost in awe of the people who created it, for their sheer intelligence, and the fact that they are searching for an alternative to killing animals but on the other hand...I really don't think I could force myself to eat it, it really doesn't look very appetising.

The meat is grown from DNA animals but what implications does this have for the future? where will the limits be? Could you eat your pet? your best friend? or even yourself?

WHAT IF...Jimmy Carter had been re-elected, would the world be greener?

In an alternate United States set in the 1980s, where Ronald Reagan never happened, the Golden Institute for Energy was the world's premier think tank for alternative energies.

From weather modification and lightning harvesting to using the freeway system as a source of power, the Institute's ambitions were grand and their impact on American life significant. How might its legacy offer a fresh perspective on our present challenges in regard to the environment?

WHAT IF...domestic ecosystems produced our food

What if exhibition in Dublin, invited designers to design products for hypothetical futures. Below is an ecosystem designed for the home.

I can't decide whether this is a good idea or not...on one hand, we would be more self sufficient, on the other it could seriously damage the economy and eliminate the need for farmers. Either way...it is a little bit genius.