Pruning Matter
Yanan Wang
Our interaction with nature extends beyond mere physical manipulation, embodying a
profound cultural, psychological, and aesthetic dialogue. Driven by a desire to
categorize, control, and mold, we impress our values onto the natural world. This shaping
of nature blurs the distinctions between the natural and the man-made, challenging our
notions of perfection and imperfection, as well as function and form. By disciplining
nature, we not only impose a perceived order and structure but also reveal our inherent
need to build trust in face of nature’s uncertainty. This thesis unveils the nuanced
dynamics of man-made nature under pruning, examining how our communicative
practices transform natural phenomena into manifestations of human intent and ideology.
Thesis Questions：
1. What does it mean to prune?
2. How can we explore the deeper implications of pruning as a metaphor for human
relationship with nature?
What does pruning look like in the book?
Pruning Matter- is a book manifestation of my thesis, the concept of “pruning” will also serve as my creative writing mode, guiding the reinterpretation and transformation of interdisciplinary texts. "The Mini-Bonsai Hobby" by Tei’ichi Katayama, whose interpretation of pruning bonsai trees provides both inspiration and theoretical grounding. Consider the text of "The Mini-Bonsai Hobby" as my material, which is gradually pruned into my thesis writing. The book using hand-made paper technique, a progression from organic Abaca pulp (natural material) to the industry paper we use for print/copy.
Google Map Greens
Nature is non-figurative, intangible, and unpredictable. In fact, the nature around us is often constructed, measured, and calculated. It has gone from being wild to man-made nature. Thinking about this green map, This choice allows you to bring attention to the fragmented and forced presence of green spaces in urban environments, prompting viewers to reconsider their relationship with nature in a city setting. The way of this visual exploration was "pruning" the google map' s greens around me, as same as the Bonsai, we are carefully controlled by nature. After the landscape, nature starts to show "man-made" shapes.
Prune in loop concept
Hand gesture detector
Touch Designer