workout computer by bless features punching bag keyboard at istanbul design biennial

workout computer by bless features punching bag keyboard at istanbul design biennial
image courtesy of bless

in the future…will you work out, while working? fashion/design studio bless led by berlin-based ines kaag and paris-based desiree heiss consider the possibilities of play and production, fitness and functionality with their prototype for the ‘N°41 workout computer’, a monitor with a keyboard comprised of operable punching bags. typing becomes a full-body experience, as participants are asked to step on a dot, hammer an explanation and kick a question mark into an e-mail. letters and numerals have been printed onto the surface of variously shaped bags for visitors to interact with and experience, with a punchable print button sending typed data to a printer. 

presented at the 2nd istanbul design biennial, titled ‘the future is not what it used to be’ the project illustrates the studio’s ultimate aim to create situations that challenge the perception of the beholder, asking us to experience new ways to see, feel and meet the world. ‘more seriously we see it as a good test to touch new ground in combining work and leisure time in a playful way’ the duo describe. 

‘we find it terribly outdated to have a day split into a working time and a leisure time,’ heiss and kaag say. the ‘workout computer’ constitutes a new live/work balance manifesto! a living and punching statement against a work routine seated in front of a screen that, through its immobility, causes aches and pains that require an investment of time in exercise to remedy it. the ‘workoutcomputer’ proposes a future where ‘brainworks’ [conceptual brain activity] are accompanied by ‘bodyworks.’ the biennial presents the first all-day testing of this possibility, providing technical support to reconfigure the ‘workout computer’ for daily public use.

letters have been printed onto the surface of variously shaped punching bags for participants to interact with
image courtesy of bless

a participant at the istanbul design biennial experiences the ‘workout computer’
image courtesy of bless

small and large letters and numbers comprise the fucntional punching bag keyboard
image © designboom

a large question mark can be kicked and punched into an email
image © designboom

each bag has a printed letter, which can be punched and kicked to type onto the computer
image © designboom

the installation within the exhibition space at the istanbul design biennial
image © designboom

the print punching button autonomously sends the text to the printer
images © designboom

the project considers the possibilities of fitness and functionality
image © designboom

additional project credits:

engineered by: rene wassenburg
software created by: clemence plagnard

about the 2nd istanbul design biennial:

the 2nd istanbul design biennial ‘the future is not what it used to be’ organized by the istanbul foundation for culture and arts (IKSV) and curated by zoë ryan opens to the public on november 1st, 2014. throughout the city and in the biennial hub, galata greek primary school, the biennial features 53 projects from designers all over the world that ask: ‘what is the future now?’ as well as panels, conversations, workshops, film screenings and many other events until 
14 december 2014. by rethinking the manifesto as a platform to frame pertinent questions, the projects question the role of design, its relationship to society, and its ability to be an active agent for change.