MY Laundromat
My current apartment in BedStuy admittedly does have a washing machine. Actually it is a combined washer and dryer, which I didn’t even know existed before, so it does neither thing any good. Believe it or not, I was a laundromat girlie in a past life. I would wake up early on Sunday mornings, pack up my textbooks and a cup of tea, and pile my stinky clothes in the car and that’s kinda what I did last weekend.
Going to the laundromat is really not that bad. It’s kind of a meditation, it even feels like you’re closed off from the outside world in your laundromat bubble. There’s a sense of collective: everyone is equal, we’re all human and need clean clothes, and all you can do is wait. I think there’s also a feeling of trust. Naturally, I couldn’t get the first washing machine I chose to work but the people working there were super helpful and got me going on another machine. People are also not going to touch your clothes because what would they want with that?!
My laundromat is close to home. Close enough to walk with my basket. My laundromat is mostly women and young children on a Sunday morning. My laundromat has lime green walls. My laundromat has so many machines, many out of order from hundreds of cycles. My laundromat doesn’t have a lot of space to sit and relax. My laundromat has a really beautiful mural on the outside, a mother holding her baby.
Final Project - Washing Machine Portal
Inspiration
I want to create a table-top washing machine portal, think washing machine + kaleidoscope. I’m really inspired by Meow Wolf’s dryer portal and I can’t stop thinking about this reel I saw months ago. @marinaminis makes some really captivating and complex miniature scenes.
My portal may ask or answer the following questions: Where do the clothes go when we wash them? How about lost socks? How does it feel to be in the washing machine? Is it an exclusive club? Underwater(wear) dance party? Does our time go down the drain?
A literal dryer portal at Meow Wolf Santa Fe
@marinaminis on instagram
Design
Here’s my initial sketch, no water needed. I really want to tie in some elements from my laundromat, maybe use the same colors as the mural. I’ve already met with Phil to discuss the mechanics of this project so here are some next steps:
Find the clear washing machine drum
Order the bearing and rod mechanism for turning the drum (5mm motor shaft)
Order neopixels and stepper motor driver from Adafruit
Fabricate the turning mechanism and electrical system
Find glittery stuff that will spin around in there
Build box out of plywood (acrylic window, reflective inside, hinged doors)