The Big Electron 2.0 – (£1k)

Nandhit Reddy-Vasanth

I am a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and an MA [Art & Science] final-year student from CSM with a background in architecture. My practice explores experiential design and existentialism through products, installation, sculpture, and mark-making.

As a child, I was constantly involved in making toys. An early memory of mine was winning a toy design competition in year 4 back in my home of Bangalore, India. Growing up, I recognised a keen interest in both art and science and pursued architecture as a career. For my BA thesis, I designed portable modular homes for migrant workers. I worked within a commercial firm and subsequently started an independent practice which I ran for 3 years. I was exposed to multiple issues such as economic and ecological inequity, especially in construction. I felt a sense of powerlessness in tackling these issues and decided to widen my practice to include product design.

Since 2020 I have been enamoured by kinetic sculptures and have produced work on it as part of an exploration, including my postgraduate final project, ‘The Big Electron’, which I wish to submit as my entry for this competition. With time, my reasons for embarking on this exploration became clearer to me. My intent changed from a pure aesthetic expression of concepts to understanding the mechanics which produce the movements, and how they could help alleviate stress and act as educational tools.

My motivation is to invite audiences to interact with my kinetic models where the movement of the various parts causes intrigue. In the age of information overload, I aim to distract or mesmerise people of all ages through play. My work aims to address the challenge of high- functioning anxiety by incorporating mythological, and scientific concepts from across cultures and setting them in figurative atemporal installations and objects.

Thanks to my team members, Nina and Sophie, for their input to Big Electron 2.