sapien umbrella

Behavioral connections between people and umbrellas

Metapolis - 3Elizabeth GoodmanChris LeeMatty Ochmanek

Umbrella history

Derivation

• “"Umbrella" is another term for the parasol, which was first used as a protection against the scorching heat of the sun, "para" meaning prepare or shield and "sol" meaning sun. The word "umbrella" has evolved from the latin "umbella" (and "umbel" is a flat-topped rounded flower) or "umbra" meaning shade.”

History

• Invented in ancient China about 1,700 years ago.

• “The collapsible and ily supported umbrella is cocredited as being invented during Cao Wei in ancient China, roughly 1,700 years ago. The Chinese character for umbrella is 傘 (san) and is a pictograph resembling the modern umbrella in design. Some investigators have supposed that its invention was suggested by large leaves tied to the branching extremities of a bough; others assert that the idea was probably derived from the tent, which remains in form unaltered to the present day. However, the tradition existing in China is that it originated in standards and banners waving in the air, hence the use of the umbrella was often linked to high ranking (though not necessarily royalty in China).”

• Also used in ancient Middle Eastern cultures and in Egypt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrellas

cc Bruce Lee

Contemporary parasols in Wuhan, ChinaTraditional Chinese and Japanese temple umbrellas differ little from the classical Wu Dynasty form.

Concept

The sapien umbrella is a semi-sentient urban inhabitant that cohabitates with humans

Though in behavior it resembles a pet, the sapien umbrella is a simpler organism, more like an insect than a dog

Like a dog, the sapien umbrella gives its owner access to “super senses” that humans do not normally have

Cohabitation case study: Dogs and people

Dogs and people live in a symbiotic relationship in which each has individual free will. We have domesticated dogs to be behaviorally compatible with humans. But dogs still retain individual identities and behavioral patterns, which sometimes conflict with human social norms. Sometimes, dog behavior requires humans to perform activities they would otherwise avoid. These activities can be enjoyable (talking with an attractive stranger) or they can be inconvenient (going

out at 2am in the rain).

Cohabitation case study: Dogs and people

Dogs leading humans on walk. Dogs fighting.Dogs enjoying each others

Object case study: umbrellas in cities

When in use, they form a barrier between their owners and environmental conditions.

Carried by their owners everywhere, umbrellas require special furniture when they are stored between uses.

Umbrellas can malfunction unexpectedly, leaving their owners unprotected

Umbrellas are social objects. They can be shared by lovers on a walk -- or they can isolate their owners from close proximity to strangers through their physical dimension.

Sapien Umbrella schematic diagram

Intra-umbrellabehaviors• Phylic:

umbrellas feel affection towards each other• Phobic

umbrellas feel repulsion from each other• Disinterest

umbrellas have no interest and remain inert• Hysteria

an umbrella goes into total collapse based on a combination of environmental and intra-umbrella interaction

Human-umbrellabehaviors• Humans nurture umbrellas with basic necessities• Humans give umbrellas what they desire: the

chance to be with other umbrellas and to feel the weather on their canopies.

• Sapien umbrellas are created with basic behavioral traits, but they evolve over time through their interactions with humans and other umbrellas

Sapien umbrella interactionsTwo indifferent umbrellas approach each other. They frighten a third, more timid umbrella (at right) who cowers in fear.