Body as Structure

The human body, like all structures, has physical forces acting upon it. The muscles and bones allow us to stand, move and maintain a balanced position by adapting itself to external conditions and forces.

1. 2D diagramming: Regarding the bodily experiences during the workshop, first select three yoga poses. Identify the different types of structural forces that act in different ways on the body, and try to represent these on a force vector diagram. Use 24x30cm paper size for each diagram. 

2. Modeling: Based on a pose that you select out of the first three poses, design an abstract structure. The designed structure should reflect not the form, but the structural principles of the selected pose. In this process, you will come to realize that there are many similarities as well as differences between the body and a synthetic structure (your design). For instance, a body is a dynamic entity with many joints moving in space; it balances these forces through its muscles. A static structure has to respond to forces internally through its form, material and structural members. 

While designing the structure, use compression members (wooden sticks), and tension members (strings or membranes).