Artists live in human hamster wheel in Williamsburg for 10 days

Summary

The project 'In Orbit' is an immersive installation simulating life in a space-like two-bedroom apartment, with one bedroom on the exterior and one on the interior of a rotating wheel. The creators, with carpentry skills, built the structure that couldn't fit through a door, requiring occupants to 'dial in' different areas by walking along the wheel. The apartment features a bathroom and kitchen with a water supply system and a chemical toilet. It explores the dynamics of relationships and collaboration in confined spaces, emphasizing the importance of trust and personal safety with the use of harnesses. The experience is a reflection on the interplay between physical constraints and emotional connections.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ The project 'In Orbit' is a creative work that simulates living in a two-bedroom apartment on a wheel, with one bedroom on the outside and one on the inside.
• 🚶‍♂️ Navigation within the 'apartment' is achieved by walking along the wheel, changing activities and using different furniture pieces.
• 🏠 The construction of the project took about a month and involved carpentry skills from both participants.
• 🚪 The project was built in a room that was too large to fit through a standard door, indicating a unique and possibly custom-built space.
• 💼 The speaker is currently in an office setting, with a desk, dresser, and other furniture pieces mentioned for the apartment.
• 🛁 Both the bathroom and kitchen have a water supply system with fresh and waste water bags, and an electric pump for water circulation.
• 🚽 The bathroom includes a chemical toilet for use when needed, and a sink with a water supply and drainage system.
• 🛋️ The speaker mentions a comfortable chair, bed, and kitchen, indicating a focus on daily living essentials within the project.
• 🤔 The project explores how the layout of buildings and apartments can influence relationships and interactions between occupants.
• 🧘‍♀️ The lack of a common space for conversation suggests a different kind of collaboration and interaction between the occupants.
• 🔐 Safety is a key concern, with the need for constant checks on fittings and the use of a harness for sleeping to prevent accidents.
• 🤝 Trust and the interdependence between the occupants are highlighted as central themes, especially considering the speaker's disability and the need for support.

Q & A

What is the project 'In Orbit' about?

The project 'In Orbit' is an artistic installation that simulates living in a two-bedroom apartment in space, with one bedroom on the outside and one on the inside of a rotating wheel.

How long did it take to build the 'In Orbit' project?

The project took about a month to build.

What backgrounds do the creators of 'In Orbit' have?

Both creators have backgrounds in carpentry.

How is the space in the 'In Orbit' project organized?

The space includes an office, a dresser, a bathroom, a comfortable chair, a bed, and a kitchen, all arranged in a circular pattern around the wheel.

What is the water supply system like in the 'In Orbit' project?

The water supply system consists of two bags, one for fresh water and one for waste water, with an electric pump that moves water from the fresh bag to the sink and then drains it into the waste bag.

What type of toilet is used in the bathroom of the 'In Orbit' project?

A chemical toilet is used in the bathroom, which is pulled out and used when needed.

How is showering managed in the 'In Orbit' project?

Showering is managed with a 'bird bath' method, allowing for basic hygiene practices such as shaving and hair care.

What is the significance of the layout in the 'In Orbit' project in terms of relationships?

The layout is designed to explore how living spaces and their design can influence and construct relationships, even without a common area for conversation.

What is the role of movement in the 'In Orbit' project?

Movement is essential for changing activities and navigating the space, as one must 'dial in' to different parts of the apartment by walking along the wheel.

What safety measures are in place for the 'In Orbit' project?

Participants are responsible for their own safety, which includes wearing a harness and regularly checking fittings for any signs of loosening, weakening, or jamming.

How does the speaker describe the challenge of trust in the 'In Orbit' project?

The speaker describes the challenge of trust as a combination of their disability, the lack of power, and the need for the other person's support, emphasizing the importance of letting go and integrating the need for support with personal independence.

Outlines

00:00

🛰️ In Orbit: A Unique Living Experience

The script describes an innovative project called 'In Orbit,' where the creators have designed a living space that simulates an apartment with a unique layout. The apartment features a two-bedroom setup, with one bedroom on the exterior and another on the interior of a wheel. To navigate between different areas, residents must walk along the wheel, using the same piece of furniture for different activities. The project took a month to build, and both creators have carpentry skills, which they utilized in constructing the space. The script also mentions the challenges of living in such an environment, including the need for a harness for safety and the importance of mutual trust and cooperation between residents.

🏠 The Wheel Apartment: Design and Functionality

This paragraph delves into the specifics of the 'In Orbit' project's living quarters. The speaker is currently in an office area, with a dresser to the right and a bathroom named 'Midnight.' The bathroom and kitchen are equipped with a water supply system that includes fresh and waste water bags, a sink, and an electric pump. The bathroom also features a chemical toilet for use when necessary. The speaker discusses the concept of building relationships within the apartment's layout, which lacks a common space for conversation but still encourages collaboration due to the need for movement coordination. The paragraph also touches on the philosophical aspects of walking, described by Lori Anderson, and the physical sensation of moving within the wheel.

🔧 Maintenance and Safety in the Wheel Apartment

The speaker discusses the responsibilities associated with living in the 'In Orbit' project, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety. Residents must regularly check the fittings to ensure there are no loose or weakening parts that could lead to accidents. The speaker also mentions the need to wear a harness, even while sleeping, to prevent falling out of bed due to the wheel's movement. The trust between residents is highlighted as a significant challenge, especially for the speaker who has a disability and relies on the other resident for support. The paragraph concludes with reflections on the difficulty of performing tasks and the fear factor, all of which are intertwined with the reliance on and trust in the other resident.

Keywords

💡In orbit

In the context of the video, 'In orbit' refers to the project's name, which is a creative work that simulates living in a space-like environment. It is a central theme of the video, illustrating the concept of inhabiting a unique, rotating living space. The project's name is indicative of the video's exploration of space and the dynamics of living in a confined, unconventional setting.

💡Two-bedroom apartment

The term 'two-bedroom apartment' is used to describe the layout of the 'In orbit' project. It is a key element of the project's design, with one bedroom located on the outside and the other on the inside of the wheel, representing a unique living arrangement. This concept is central to understanding the video's theme of exploring unconventional living spaces and the relationships they foster.

💡Wheel

The 'wheel' in the script refers to the circular structure of the living space, which is a significant aspect of the project 'In orbit'. It is a metaphor for a rotating environment, akin to a space station, and is integral to the project's concept. The wheel's design influences how the participants navigate and interact within the space, as they 'dial in' different parts of the apartment by walking along it.

💡Carpentry

Carpentry is the craft of woodworking, and in the video, it is mentioned as a background skill of the project creators. This skill was essential in building the entire 'In orbit' project, which could not fit through a door due to its size. The mention of carpentry highlights the hands-on, creative process behind constructing the unique living environment.

💡Water supply

The 'water supply' is a critical component of the 'In orbit' project, as it simulates the life support systems found in space. The script describes a system with a fresh water bag, a waste water bag, and an electric pump that moves water between them. This setup is essential for understanding the project's focus on sustainability and the practical aspects of living in a closed environment.

💡Chemical toilet

A 'chemical toilet' is a type of sanitation system that uses chemicals to break down waste, which is mentioned in the script as part of the bathroom facilities in the 'In orbit' project. It represents a practical solution to waste management in a confined space, illustrating the video's theme of adapting to unconventional living conditions.

💡Relationships

The concept of 'relationships' in the video is explored through the unique layout of the 'In orbit' project, which affects how the participants interact with each other. The lack of a common space for conversation suggests a different kind of relationship dynamic, where collaboration is implicit in the necessity to move together within the space.

💡Safety

Safety is a recurring concern in the video, as the participants are responsible for their own well-being within the 'In orbit' project. The script mentions the need to constantly check fittings for looseness or jamming, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and preparedness in an unconventional living environment.

💡Harness

A 'harness' is a safety device worn by the participants in the video to prevent falling out of bed or during sleepwalking incidents. It symbolizes the trust and reliance on each other for safety within the 'In orbit' project, highlighting the video's theme of interdependence in a confined space.

💡Trust

Trust is a central theme in the video, as it is essential for the participants to rely on each other in the 'In orbit' project. The script discusses the challenge of trust, especially for someone with a disability, and how it intertwines with the need for support and the fear of falling. Trust is portrayed as a fundamental aspect of living and working together in an unconventional environment.

💡Lack of power

The phrase 'lack of power' in the script refers to the narrator's personal disability, which adds a layer of complexity to the experience within the 'In orbit' project. It underscores the video's exploration of vulnerability and the need for support in an atypical living situation, where physical limitations can impact daily life and interactions.

Highlights

The project 'In Orbit' is a creative work simulating living in a two-bedroom apartment in space.

One bedroom is located on the outside of the wheel, and the other on the inside.

Navigation within the space requires walking along the wheel and changing activities with different furniture.

The construction of the project took about a month, highlighting the time-intensive nature of the build.

Both creators have carpentry backgrounds, indicating the importance of diverse skills in such projects.

The project was built in a room that couldn't fit through the door, showcasing the logistical challenges faced.

The office, dresser, bathroom, and kitchen are all part of the unique apartment layout.

Both the bathroom and kitchen have a water supply system with fresh and waste water bags, and an electric pump.

A chemical toilet is used in the bathroom for convenience.

Showering is done in a makeshift way, using a bird bath.

The project explores how the layout of buildings and apartments construct and influence relationships.

The unique layout lacks a common space for conversation, yet collaboration is still evident.

Lori Anderson's quote about walking is used to describe the experience of moving within the space.

Safety is a priority, with constant checks on fittings to prevent loosening or jamming.

The creators wear harnesses for safety, even while sleeping, due to the risk of rolling out.

The project addresses trust issues, particularly for the speaker with a disability.

The speaker reflects on the difficulty and fear factor associated with the project.

The importance of having someone 'got your back' is emphasized in the context of the project.

The speaker discusses the integration of personal needs and the support provided by the other person.

Transcripts

we are working on this project

performing a work called in orbit where

we're occupying what's essentially a two

bedroom apartment with one of the

bedrooms on the outside of the wheel and

one of the bedrooms on the inside of the

wheel

and when we want to go to different

parts of this apartment we need to

basically dial them in by walking along

the wheel

changing activities using different

furniture

so the project took about a month to

build and

ward and i both have backgrounds in

carpentry um

and we built the whole thing

in this room obviously it couldn't fit

through the door

well right now i'm obviously sitting in

the office

at my desk

and then to my right

is my

dresser

and then my

bathroom is our bathroom midnight

is my comfortable chair my bed

and at 3 30 is my kitchen both the

bathroom and kitchen have a water supply

at the bottom

and

there are two bags one with fresh water

one with waste water there's a sink in

both and an electric pump that pumps the

water from

the fresh bag

to the sink and then it drains into the

waste bag

in the bathroom we have a little

chemical toilet

that we pull out and use when we need to

and then for showering you know it's

kind of bird bath and

you know you can shave and

obviously do your hair

one of one of the things that we're

thinking about while we're in here is

how

um

buildings apartments um

construct relationships you know they

make relationships just by nature of

their layout right um

and in this particular layout i'm living

with someone but

i don't have a common space with him

where we can have a conversation

but that doesn't mean that we are not

sort of collaborating because every time

i want to move he has to move

lori anderson once said that walking is

actually just

falling and catching yourself and then

falling again and it's kind of like this

i'm falling backwards instead of

forwards and it starts going faster

unless i get up to the middle here we're

responsible for our own safety so we

have to constantly look at the uh

fittings to make sure there nothing's

getting loose or if weakening or getting

jammed

and

it's not that hard but it's you know

it you can't take anything for granted

i'm uh

wearing a harness

which of course was the the most obvious

thing but i have to actually sleep in

this harness

um

because i'm afraid i'd roll out of bed

or or that alex will get up and go

sleepwalking and the wheel will just

take off it's it's the the trust issue

for me is the challenge i mean it's a

combination of the fact of my disability

up here the the my lack of power

and my need for him and they are hand in

hand

uh

i would have said earlier there was just

about the difficulty of doing things up

here

and and the fear factor but it but the

fact is that it's all tied in with

the fact that he's down there for me

he's got my back and that i have to be

able to let these two things

integrate