Rooted in the concept of essentialism, this project aims to investigate the relation between man and earth. It goes back to the core of both vital beings, drawing inspiration from Vibrant Matter by Jane Bennett in order to better understand and respond to this relationship in a built environment.
I began investigating this relationship and literally unpacking what lies within the ground and came across clay. One of the oldest, most used materials throughout history for a number of reasons. This made me delve deeper and further question what effects clay has on people during their interaction with it. For me, I had reached a form of meditation not just during my prayer as I pressed my head on the ground but also while making with it.
As Ponty says, “our gaze, prompted by the experience of our own body, will discover in all other ‘objects’ the miracle of expression”. This miracle of expression also described as a state of exploration or awareness of self through other ‘things’ is what formed the basis of my exploration. Inspired by the most essential forms of life, earth and the elements, this project aims to create an environment of meditation between clay and people in both the physical sense while making, and in the devotional sense while meditating and praying.
