Comfort Zones – Maria Wolff Metternich

Comfort Zones

~ Textiles for interior (seating objects/furniture) & body

ongoing

Comfort is elastic

Comfort Zones is a practice- based research project in which physical and emotional comfort and discomfort is experienced by the human body. A variety of different Comfort Zones is presented. All of them deal with the delicate and playful relationship between filling material and cover, in which knitted structures and materials play a central role in order to create comfort. All Comfort Zones embed the human body and create a balance of an artistic and functional expression.The elasticity of the knit is challenged when creating volume and emphasizes the idea that comfort is elastic in material/physical way, as well as well in emotions. Filling materials give a new dimension, sensitivity and offer new opportunities. As well as the knit is serving as a cover and decorative element, it has the ability to create its own padding. By rolling up a knitted tube, volume is built up layer by layer; a torus appears and captures a void in the center of the form, required by the tube, the fundament. All Comfort Zones are created by different methods of form giving, wherein the knitted tube plays an essential role in guiding the design process and form exploration, such as: rolling, pleating, cutting, stuffing, layering and compressing.

Some zones are more conceptual than others, all are sculptural, but never divided from function: they are scaled up to accommodate and offer comfort for the human body. By discreet details in structure, material and form, hints of discomfort are given to create a vibrant expression as it also shows how vulnerable and fragile comfort is- it can just exist for one moment, for one thought, for instance.

Since garments have a great influence on our comfort and discomfort, it seemed challenging and appropriate to design textiles for the body emphasizing and interacting with the collection- the Comfort Zones. Clothing strongly supports our physical and emotional state and affects a coherent balance of ‘being’, when comfortable. All garments are made out of knitted material, being used in the Comfort Zones. Knit expresses a clear comfort in its flexibility and touch and offers additional stabilization and fit. Elements of color and materiality return within the collection when translated on the body. A clear interaction happens when the body touches and activates the zones.The material and the body evoke each other when composed together; the skin/ the upper surface of both elements change.

The emergence of form and volume

Summer 2019

This form development represents the most essential movement and practical method and displays the emergence of form and volume. This video clearly documents the first embodiment forming the concept and context of Comfort Zones. It expresses the complexity of the rolling technique, which contains pulling, stretching and intense manipulation by the hands to result a neat shape. When rolling, the resilience is constantly challenged. A combination of cotton and lycra material was used, due to its strong elasticity and flexibility.

Led by curiosity, we look closer, attracted by the black depth, and realize we don’t know ‘the inner life‘ of the shape: is it just a void, another space, or an endless space maybe?

A dead body arises.
It arises from loose fabric and creates something 3- dimensional. Then it has the ability to go back into the
state of looseness after living – it’s a circle. — A dead body arises. It arises from loose fabric and creates something 3- dimensional. Then it has the ability to go back into the state of looseness after living – it’s a circle.

Lines build up relationships to each other.
They provoke, emphasize concave and convex linings, they cross, run parallel or merge to one. — Lines build up relationships to each other. They provoke, emphasize concave and convex linings, they cross, run parallel or merge to one.

There is a body- and on the body there is elasticity.
We all are elastic in our thinking, creating and in our patience. We resume our normal shape- it’s a circle. — There is a body- and on the body there is elasticity. We all are elastic in our thinking, creating and in our patience. We resume our normal shape- it’s a circle.

Oddly and mysteriously, a discarded elastic band will typically present itself in the shape of an infinity
symbol (properly called a lemniscate). Perhaps that is because elasticity possesses
that elusive quality of the infinite. Findings on Elasticity — Oddly and mysteriously, a discarded elastic band will typically present itself in the shape of an infinity symbol (properly called a lemniscate). Perhaps that is because elasticity possesses that elusive quality of the infinite.
*Findings on Elasticity*

The horizontal angle has most chances to make us feel comfortable and relaxed- although comfort is
subjective — The horizontal angle has most chances to make us feel comfortable and relaxed- although comfort is subjective

Knit is fragile in nature, and simultaneously elastic - it likes to be challenged.

Sich selbst mit jedem Atemzug ändern, versuchte sie, die Existenz ihres Körpers als etwas Festes zu
begreifen. ZEIT Magazin, Vivian Sassen — Sich selbst mit jedem Atemzug ändern, versuchte sie, die Existenz ihres Körpers als etwas Festes zu begreifen.
*ZEIT Magazin, Vivian Sassen*

The properties of a net have always been an inspiration.
The net has the ability to hold, capture, and cover something. And contrary to completely reveal the
inside. Due to its openings one has access to touch the filling. — The properties of a net have always been an inspiration. The net has the ability to hold, capture, and cover something. And contrary to completely reveal the inside. Due to its openings one has access to touch the filling.

The skin is not a simple envelope: it is subjected to mechanical strains which it withstands due to its
flexibility. With time, its proper- ties of elasticity and tension are lost; its protective, metabolic and sensory
functions. Findings on Elasticity — The skin is not a simple envelope: it is subjected to mechanical strains which it withstands due to its flexibility. With time, its proper- ties of elasticity and tension are lost; its protective, metabolic and sensory functions.
*Findings on Elasticity*

A contrast between hollowness and compact material appears.

This image displays a solitude comfort.
A comfort zone is like a circle/ a border we draw around us- we define it. We feel protected and captured. — This image displays a solitude comfort. A comfort zone is like a circle/ a border we draw around us- we define it. We feel protected and captured.

The body activates the shape- Interaction happens. Diverse possibilities of the shape are explored.
Continuous fabric- continuous possibilities.
It’s a circle. — The body activates the shape- Interaction happens. Diverse possibilities of the shape are explored. Continuous fabric- continuous possibilities. It’s a circle.

Foam changes over time.
The original color fades: a palette of yellow tones appears and creates contrasts. It’s mainly hidden in
upholstery to create comfort.
I think it should serve more the visual expression. — Foam changes over time. The original color fades: a palette of yellow tones appears and creates contrasts. It’s mainly hidden in upholstery to create comfort. I think it should serve more the visual expression.

Each material, undoes its own laws there to invert, and make use of what comes of it chances are
weighed, coincidence being a state of mind Maria Blaisse, The Emergence of Form — Each material, undoes its own laws there to invert, and make use of what comes of it chances are weighed, coincidence being a state of mind
*Maria Blaisse, The Emergence of Form*

Tactility- It is interesting how material and the touch of it influences our comfort or discomfort- it
creates an atmosphere around us. — Tactility- It is interesting how material and the touch of it influences our comfort or discomfort- it creates an atmosphere around us.

Separate comfort zones are created.
Some like to share their comfort zone, what about you? — Separate comfort zones are created. Some like to share their comfort zone, what about you?

I enjoy working with contrasts in materiality and shape. Researching on their properties and finding
the best composition is my passion. — I enjoy working with contrasts in materiality and shape. Researching on their properties and finding the best composition is my passion.

The encounter of positive and negative forms (resulting a subtraction) is a way of producing spatial
contrast. Space can be pushed and squeezed by unit forms which are thrust against each other.
It can also be left a void, in contrast with congested areas. Wucius Wong — The encounter of positive and negative forms (resulting a subtraction) is a way of producing spatial contrast. Space can be pushed and squeezed by unit forms which are thrust against each other. It can also be left a void, in contrast with congested areas.
*Wucius Wong*

Comfort is subjective – its strongly connected to our emotional state - when you feel happy you can
feel most comfortably on a hard park bench. — Comfort is subjective – its strongly connected to our emotional state - when you feel happy you can feel most comfortably on a hard park bench.

There is tension of life, a certain movement and eager of transformation.

Through playing with sensuality of material and form you make aware of your own body. Sensuality is
also Synonymous with vulnerability. — Through playing with sensuality of material and form you make aware of your own body. Sensuality is also Synonymous with vulnerability.

The embryo is connected to all our first comfort zones: Our fetal- position in our mothers’ womb. We
are captured, safe, warm and nourished.
So vulnerable and dependent. — The embryo is connected to all our first comfort zones: Our fetal- position in our mothers’ womb. We are captured, safe, warm and nourished. So vulnerable and dependent.

Folding and unfolding can no longer be seen simply as a system of tension and release but as a
system of enveloping versus developing and of involution and evolution. Findings on Elasticity — Folding and unfolding can no longer be seen simply as a system of tension and release but as a system of enveloping versus developing and of involution and evolution.
*Findings on Elasticity*

Material and body evoke each other when composed together. The skin/the upper surface of both
elements change. — Material and body evoke each other when composed together. The skin/the upper surface of both elements change.

There is a smooth void- emptiness in the middle. Can you see the end? I imagined voids dark and
uncomfortable. — There is a smooth void- emptiness in the middle. Can you see the end? I imagined voids dark and uncomfortable.

Material Philosophy

Summer 2019

Documenting the working process by the medium of photography displays an important method for Maria. Capturing materials, details and colors inspire to be combined with words and thoughts emphasizing a mood, atmosphere and the aesthetics of the image. This way of working presents a personal homage to the importance and value of the process.

Comfort Zones at Dutch Design Week Eindhoven Autumn 2019

The Smooth Void, one piece out of the collection Comfort Zones was presented at Dutch Design Week (DDW) in Eindhoven. For short periods of time, a female model activated the lounger by getting comfortable in the piece. Different positions like sitting, laying and leaning were performed fluidly to keep one total comfortable dynamic. This live performance displayed an important medium to activate the shape and show its functions, as well as it emphasizes and communicates the essence of Maria’s design, which is closely connected to the human body. As an added element, the collection of garments should complement instead of compete with the pieces, they should merge and become one total expression. Controlling the body’s comfort by garments could strengthen the concept as they emphasize the overall importance of the embodiment in the collection.

Casual editorial at DDW Eindhoven

Autumn 2019

Handcrafted garments (knitted pleated silk pants and yellow knitted top), combined with jewelry pieces by Iris Desiree Claessens.