Cocoon – An immersive sculpture activated by interaction

Cocoon, Mint Luminates Exhibition © Inge Clemente

Francesca Hobbs has created an immersive sculpture that is ‘activated’ by interaction. The piece creates a cocoon-like environment that invites visitors to explore and discover the piece. This piece was featured in Mint’s LDF17 exhibition, Mint Luminates.

Continue reading to find out more about this fascinating project…

Cocoon, Mint Luminates Exhibition © Francesca Hobbs

Francesca Hobbs is an Artist and Designer from the East Midlands, England. She graduated in 3D Design from Loughborough University. She works on various personal and commissioned projects. Her practice questions the way in which materials can influence our spatial and sensory haptic experiences.

Cocoon, Mint Luminates Exhibition © Francesca Hobbs

To create the Cocoon Francesca Hobbs carried out and series of material investigations and experiments. She began with sketches and illustrations followed by model making allowing her to test the form and function of the piece. Once she finalised her ideas she designed a wire frame structure, this created the foundation and theme of the piece. She welded steel rods together, replicating her initial line sketches. The second phase of the design was to enclose the structure, she achieved this by covering the entire piece with a metal mesh wire. This mesh wire would also be used to attach strings, thus formulating the main design of the piece. Each string was attached individually all varying in length, using a single knot method, adding depth to the private space. This mirrored a cocoon structure with its overlapping lines and small enclosed space. Some sections of the mesh frame were added later to the structure avoiding knotting of the strings. Once all the strings were attached to the entire internal area of the structure the piece was complete.

Cocoon, Mint Luminates Exhibition © Inge Clemente

Cocoon, Mint Luminates Exhibition © Francesca Hobbs

The main aim of the sculpture was to be playful, yet isolating and completely introspective. Thus, allow an individual to contemplate in a private space. The piece transports the individual to a new dimension, a place of comfort and protection.

Cocoon, Mint Luminates Exhibition © Francesca Hobbs

“It is about the individual and the collective, about both shared and personal experiences and emotions. It is claustrophobic and comforting, it is whatever you make of it. It is everything and nothing.”

– Francesca Hobbs

For any further information please contact info@mintshop.co.uk