Questions, questions, questions...

There are questions to be answered...

• Are umbrellas a source of personal expression, or are they mostly purchased and used as a necessity?
• Material technology has allowed new forms to be created previously. Could the latest in performance materials allow for further development of form?
• How many umbrellas are purchased every year?
• What is the life span of an umbrella?

Experience focused questions

• How does is open?
• How does it close?
• How is it stored?
• How is it held?
• How is it sold? (Seinfeld episode with the spinning umbrella)
• What does it feel like to exist with the opened umbrella?
• Is it a space of its own?
• Is it used on a rainy day or a sunny day or both?
• Does one person use it? Or, is it shared by two or many people?

Expression focused questions

• The archetype of the umbrella?
• What are the associations of different forms?
• What superstitions exist with the umbrella?
• What ficticious roles have umbrellas played in movies, folklore, etc.?