Xylem & Phloem Vessel
2021

Our food feels increasingly disconnected from its source. Plates are a prime example of our food’s abstraction on a blank plane.

If we removed plates from the human timeline, what would spring up in its place? How could we keep our connected to our food’s natural origins through the way we eat?

This vessel is modeled after plants’ phloem and xylem - channels that pull nutrients up from the roots and down from the leaves, distributing them throughout the plant. It mimics ancient ways of eating - scooping stews with bread, drizzling broth over soups, and inviting groups to share from a single pot.

When using this speculative piece, broth would be poured through the top, then it would be channeled to the serving pods to infuse the food in an entirely new (and yet ancient) way of eating.

Materials:
Foam board, printed paper, acrylic tubes, tape, glue
Methods / Tools:
Hot gun to manipulate the acrylic, band saw to size the acrylic tubes, X-acto blade