Residents of Solar Space
Residents of Solar Space explores and questions our relationship to the sun.
Too much sunlight can be a danger to our health, but so can a deficiency. In response, we smear ourselves with chemicals or reach out to the pharmaceutical industry for nutritional supplements to make up for our lack of sunlight. In contrast, Kato proposes alternative approaches and materials into a new awareness to the sun.
SUN BLANKET
A sun blanket emphasizes time as a crucial factor in seeking the sun. An integrated sundial provides insight into vitamin D production and shows how long you can stay unprotected in the sun based on the current uv index and your skin type.
The blanket incorporates a UV-sensitive and UV-stable yarn. The natural pigment carotene discolors in a relatively short period of time under the influence of the sun. When exposed
to sunlight, the color of this yarn will fade, changing the pattern and increasing in contrast. It emphasizes the power
of the sun over time.
PLA KNIT
The dynamic between humans and the sun changes through the seasons. In autumn, we get outside less, and when we do, it is with a lot of skin covered to keep us warm. However, it is recommended to spend half an hour daily outside with enough skin uncovered for enough vitamin D. PLA is UV-transparent. The sweater made of PLA keeps us warm while adequately exposing us to sunlight.
