Helaku Jacket (2014)

Aurelia Jessica, Singapore

Simon Koh, Singapore

Description

Helaku (Native American name meaning “full of sun”) Jacket is a solar jacket designed with the Native American culture and the desert environment in mind. It is a jacket and also a convertible sleeping bag. It is also equipped with USB charger and heating pads powered by solar energy captured by a piece of flexible solar panel. 

For the traditional Native American people, the sun is respected as a one of the most important life sustaining entities. Whilst spiritual peace of mind is very important for them, Native American traditional nomadic tribes also display experimental and open minded attitudes to new techniques when it comes to their craftwork. By adapting various aspects of the Native American culture and their respect towards the sun and nature, Project Helaku aims to bridge the virtues found in old traditions, the needs of present-day humans and the flexibility we need to adapt in order to prepare for the future.

Medium

PVC leather, Felt, Nylon, Flexible Solar Panel, Arduino Lily Pad, Portable Heating Pad

Image credits

Aurelia Jessica & Simon Koh