Inspiration and Massing Studies

PROTRACTILE

• Protractile (adj.) 
• able to be extended or opened out
• capable of being protracted, lengthened, stretched or protruded

Research on several cases of protraction throughout nature gives me the sensation of connectivity where parts of a whole are provided a limited range of freedom of motion and exploration. Examples include a cat's retractable claw, the wingspan of a bird and Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. Hydraulic cylinders and hinges also express this protraction capability.

http://www.yesko.com/medical_illustrations/cat03.htm

http://www.equipoagora.es/Raices-de-europa/Europa-tiene-rostro-de-persona.htm

http://suka2sakkarep2ku.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html