The Disgusted Object
Katrin Baumgarten (German, born 1985)
Innovation Design Engineering
Department (est. 1980)
Royal College of Art (UK, est. 1837)
2010
Wood, silicone, and electronics
1 3/16 x 4 11/16 x 2 3/8" (3 x 12 x 6 cm)
The Disgusted Object series explores
the phenomenon of revulsion. Katrin
Baumgarten’s prototypes are abstract
but simulate human reactions: one
replicates the pilomotor reflex, slowly
developing goose bumps when handled;
another squirms when held, as if trying
to escape or move away. Baumgarten
explores interactions with objects that
are not fully under the user’s control—
that have what she calls “anthropomorphised
will” and reactions we only
expect from sentient beings.
Category: Double Entendre
Tags: Interactions / Mutants and Fairy Tales / Critical Design / Visualizations
