Resting with Objects for 24 hours
Exploring Rest and Self-Reflection through First-Person Research
For this project, I embarked on a 24-hour journey to mimic the restful positions of
natural and human-made objects, delving deep into the world of first-person research.
This adventure not only provided me with a fresh perspective but also offered
invaluable insights into the significance of incorporating oneself into the research
process.
I decided to start by copying the resting positions of objects found outdoors.
Surprisingly, mimicking natural objects proved to be a more effortless task than
replicating the positions of man-made artefacts. As I spent more time doing this, a
curious transformation occurred. I began to feel a stronger connection with the natural
objects, and an inexplicable sense of relaxation washed over me. This is not a normal
thing for me. I am usually only relaxed in my bed.
What struck me during this was the involvement of people at the park who were
curious about my activity. Although they didn't want to be recorded,, they observed
and participated, sparking a sense of communal connection. This made me ponder the
empathy that exists between humans and nature, and I couldn't help but feel a sense
of pity for the man-made objects as if they too could feel exhaustion.
The experiment led me to contemplate how the concept of rest is inherently integrated
into nature. It seemed as if rest was an intrinsic part of nature's being, and it prompted
me to consider a novel perspective on living—a way that harmonizes with the
environment.
One crucial revelation was the importance of proximity to the object I intended to
mimic. I discovered that the physical presence of the object was essential for a
comprehensive understanding. It compelled me to think about the significance of
physical proximity when designing for user-centric experiences. Would I be able to
understand and empathize with the target audience if I distanced myself from the
subject matter?
The experiment also instilled a sense of freedom within me, as I didn't initially
comprehend how mimicking resting positions would aid my design process. The
absence of a predefined purpose allowed me to break free from self-imposed
limitations and explore uncharted territory. It made me wonder why I hadn't tapped
into this sense of liberation before.
As I ventured through the park, I felt a growing desire to continue the activity even
without documenting it. This newfound perspective began to influence my daily
routine, prompting me to allocate more time to observe the natural state of objects in
the world. Rest took on an entirely new meaning, as I started to develop an emotional
connection with the objects I was mimicking.
The experiment led me away from the rigid confines of black-and-white thinking. I
found myself questioning the notion of right and wrong, true and false, and instead, I
focused on exploring my experiences as a blend of intricate emotions. This paradigm
shift made me contemplate whether I had been assessing people correctly all along.
One of the significant lessons from this first-person research was to experience before
thinking about it. This shift towards self-revealing communication—being honest and
unapologetic about one's experiences, even if they seemed inconsequential—
underscored the importance of understanding oneself and the world through a
broader lens.
The experiment also prompted me to reevaluate our collective perception of rest.
What if there are alternative ways to rest that we've never contemplated? The act of
momentarily being something else served as an escapist distraction from the routine,
offering a unique way to rejuvenate and reset.
In conclusion, the 24-hour experiment of mimicking objects' resting positions was an
eye-opening journey. It reshaped my understanding of rest and its relationship with
nature, fostered a sense of freedom and experimentation, and encouraged me to
prioritize self-revealing communication in my research. This process also left me
pondering the concept of user-centric design and the importance of physically
immersing oneself in the research environment.
