THE COLLECTION
Nikhil Garde (Danish, born 1972), Designskolen Kolding (Denmark, est. 1967), Instructors: Elle-Mie Ejdrup Hansen (Danish, born 1958), Barnabas Wetton (British, born 1962), and Michael Frederiksen (Danish, born 1966), Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S (Denmark, est. 1960)
Sea Shelter
- Manufacturer:
- Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S
- Date:
- 2004
- Medium:
- Nylon and rubber
- Dimensions:
- 6'6 3/4" x 10'6" x 12'1 5/8" (200 x 320 x 370 cm)
- Credit Line:
- Alexander Schärer Purchase Fund
- MoMA Number:
- 107.2006
- Copyright:
- © 2013 Elle-Mie Ejdrup Hansen, Danish, Barnabas Wetton, and Michael Frederiksen
SAFE: Design Takes On Risk
, October 16, 2005–January 2, 2006Curator, Paola Antonelli: This beautiful new type of safety raft is the work of a design student from Denmark. It's his graduation project, as a matter of fact. His name is Nikhil Garde, and he collaborated with the sea emergency and safety company, Viking.
The most crucial moment, the most difficult moment, in the use of a safety raft in stormy seas is when the person that is in the sea is trying to get on the raft itself. Very often the person in the sea is exhausted and does not make it on the raft.
The design of this particular raft takes into the account the need to properly balance one's weight when boarding. What happens is that the raft is fitted with handles at either side, and with a step that extends below the surface of the water, and makes it easier for the person to climb onto the raft. One climbs by putting one's leg and one's foot onto the step, and then balancing the other leg out of the water. A counter-weight in the shelter makes it possible for the Viking raft to remain perfectly balanced and not capsize under the weight.
Born out of Necessity
March 2, 2012–January 28, 2013
In the midst of a storm at sea, attempting to board a life raft is extremely difficult. This raft, which is fitted with handles on either side and a step that extends below the surface of the water, enables the person at sea to grab the handles and raise her legs from the water without putting strain on her arms, which are used only for stability. The wide step allows the occupants of the life raft to lean out to help other people enter. The raft positions itself according to the direction of the wind and can be oriented by its occupants so that its opening faces the people swimming toward it.
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