Material: Wood, PLA, dot ball

The Ball-Game-Walking Stick is made for forward movement, yet at the same time aims to aid deceleration, and simultaneously provides a challenge to people’s sense of touch. How so? The flâneur feelsthe floor with every step, the blind person identifies contours and obstacles by touch. Discrete perceptions need to be translated into flowing sensations. The walking sticks convey the flow directly because the cover and ball that work like ball bearings. Even the first walking trials were a revelation: the ball walking stick acts like a seismograph. It senses every little unevenness, every bump in the road, and transmits it to my hand. A small stone has a great effect. It’s like walking barefoot with your hands.

3D printing made it possible to produce a small series of ball walking sticks, which make it possible to involve other walkers in my activities. The invitation to participate in the ball walking stick game consistently resulted in cheerful and often contemplative communal experiences. As ever fewer people like to stroll around town or go for walks in nature, there are smaller models for homebodies: These miniatures may be used to wander about on one’s desk, let one’s imagination run wild and satisfy one’s desires. For those who spend most of their time at their desk, this “ball walking stick for the home” can be recommended.