Light in architecture and landscape
I am very much interested in the manipulation of natural light through architecture and how that forms a space. I am particularly interested in the sunset cabin due to the rectangular shape of it and how natural light can access the structure making it look much more spacious.
End user context
People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include:
- People who have preexisting mental health conditions including problems with substance use
- Children
- People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders
Maybe also students who are abroad and away from families? International students in particular?
- Think about users with mental health issues as well and how ur structure can aid them in tackling this
Reactions during an infectious disease outbreak can include:
- Fear and worry about your own health status and that of your loved ones who may have been exposed to COVID-19
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Bibliography:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020. Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 | CDC. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/coping.html. [Accessed 10 March 2020].
End user context
1. Homeless people
- explore hobo symbols
2. People with disabilities (especially without limbs / can't see)
- creating a sensory experience for them?
3. Elders
4. People with anxiety & insomnia
- using visuals, sound, scent, etc to improve their condition?
- explore how sensory experience can help them
5. Drunk people (?)
- do they lose more of what they feel? if so what do they lose more of? what can you design to help them?
- creating a space for them?
Hemali Bhuta (Personal context)
Growing
Hemali Bhuta
2016
Incense sticks, monofilament threads, metal weights, tape, staple pins and hooks
Hemali Bhuta is a process- based artist from Mumbai who gets inspiration from exploring different colours, textures, sizes and smells of objects. She is interested in tactile qualities of vernacular everyday materials and their potential to be aesthetically pleasing to the audience. She also prefers to work with media that can be controlled e.g. hot wax and coal.
In this artwork, Bhuta experimented with two of the human senses - olfactory and visual. I found this very clever because it breaks the traditional method of only having visual based artworks. Even with interactive artworks, artists tend to produce artworks that include auditory or tactile senses. Due to that, I found it interesting when Bhuta included smell in this piece. Breathing is an involuntary action that humans do unconsciously and so the inclusion of smell in this piece naturally makes the audience curious and intrigued about this piece. I found this method extremely clever because it draws the audiences' attention by making them curious.
In this piece, the incense sticks are suspended vertically from above which makes them seem like they are continuously ascending. This coincides with the idea of growing but instead of growing vertically out of the ground, it is suspended from the top. In addition to that, there are also incense sticks arranged on the ground that are not connected to the installation. They are also arranged vertically. This might have been done by Bhuta to show the life expectancy of a human - humans grow but we eventually stop growing and the part where the incense sticks break off is an indication of the end.
Apart from that, incense sticks are widely used in Asian countries during prayers. In Hinduism, the fragrance that agarbatti emit are said to help calm and improve one's mood. The ritual of burning incense sticks are symbolic in Hinduism as it represents human sacrifices to the society. Due to that, the use of incense sticks to here might have been in respect to Bhuta's culture and religion.
During my visit to the museum, I was surprised by the smell before even entering the museum. The smell was so strong that people on the streets outside the SAM could smell it. As someone who is not a fan of strong fragrances, I thought of it as a pungent and suffocating smell. Although I wasn't a fan of the smell, I was curious about the artwork before I saw it. After seeing the artwork, I found the colour and lighting intriguing. The top of the piece was of a lighter colour (almost white) and it slowly progressed to pink and brown. I found this interesting because the same incense sticks have been used but a gradient was created through the use of lighting.
When looked closely, the monofilament thread that bounded the incense sticks together made me feel like the whole piece was connected as one even though there are spaces between each sticks. This reminded me of our community and how each individuals are somewhat bounded to one another even if the connection is not strong.
From Bhuta's work, I will be including the olfactory aspect to my work. I really enjoy the fact that the interaction between the audience and artwork is through the use of scent - this is uncommon and rarely seen.
Bibliography:
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Ocula.com. (2019). Hemali Bhuta | Artist Profile, Exhibitions & Artworks | Ocula. [online] Available at: https://ocula.com/artists/hemali-bhuta/ [Accessed 26 Sep. 2019].
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Singaporebiennale.org. (2019). [online] Available at: https://www.singaporebiennale.org/sb2016/pdf/artist-folios-pdf/Zone1_HemaliBhuta.pdf [Accessed 26 Sep. 2019].
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Artsy.net. (2020). Hemali Bhuta | Growing (2016) | Artsy. [online] Available at: https://www.artsy.net/artwork/hemali-bhuta-growing [Accessed 1 Mar. 2020].
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Thelostguides.com. (2020). [online] Available at: http://www.thelostguides.com/2016/11/07/5-favourite-asian-artists-singapore-biennale/hemali-bhuta-singapore-biennale-2016/ [Accessed 1 Mar. 2020].
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Kohinoor Foods. (2019). The Significance of Incense in India — Kohinoor Foods. [online] Available at: https://www.kohinoorfoods.co.uk/the-significance-of-incense-in-india/ [Accessed 9 Oct. 2019].
Incense sticks (Personal context)
Incense sticks / Joss sticks
What is it used for?
- Praying (show respect to the deceased?)
- Fragrance
- Part of the culture
Scent is a big part of the Chinese culture (maybe include scent in your design?) (can also be used to represent chinese culture?)
Bibliography:
dell. 2020. Custom of burning incense at Mount Wutai. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/shanxi/wutaishan/2015-10/12/content_27390654.htm. [Accessed 10 March 2020].
Perfume (Personal context)
Scent is a big part of my life and hence, I collect nice smelling perfumes. Scent will be included in my design as it is the main source of my inspiration.
Jean Nouvel (Pathway context)
Institut du Monde Arabe
Institut du Monde Arabe
Jean Nouvel, Architecture studio, Pierre Soria, Gilbert Lezenes
1987
The IMA was produced in 1987 as an area to honor the relationship between French and Arabic culture. This was achieved through collaboration with the French government and countries of the Arab league.
I really like the addition of mashrabiya as an architectural element as it is extremely effective in showcasing an aspect of the Arabic culture. The carefully selected design fits in perfectly with the mechanism of the diaphragms in regulating the amount of sunlight that is allowed to enter the building. I find the design extremely clever as the shifting of the geometric pattern provides both aesthetics and natural lighting to the building.
Apart from that, I also enjoy the natural design on the walls of the building. As the diaphragms are visible from the inside, they are embedded as part of the design for the walls of the building and so I find this extremely effective in terms of aesthetics.
Bibliography:
1.ArchDaily. (2019). AD Classics: Institut du Monde Arabe / Enrique Jan + Jean Nouvel + Architecture-Studio. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/162101/ad-classics-institut-du-monde-arabe-jean-nouvel [Accessed 6 Nov. 2019].
2. Goldberger, P., Osnos, P., Widdicombe, L., Cassidy, J., Anderson, J., Vulfov, B., Osnos, P., Widdicombe, L., Cassidy, J. and Anderson, J. (2019). Surface Tension. [online] The New Yorker. Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/11/23/surface-tension-2 [Accessed 6 Nov. 2019].
3. Morgan, C. (2002). Jean Nouvel. London: Thames and hudson.
Le Cobusier (Pathway context)
Philips Pavilion
Le Cobusier
Brussels, Belgium
1958
Bibliography:
1. En.wikipedia.org. (2020). Philips Pavilion. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philips_Pavilion [Accessed 24 Feb. 2020].
2. Isaza, M. (2020). Sonic Architecture. [online] Designingsound.org. Available at: http://designingsound.org/2014/09/29/sonic-architecture/ [Accessed 16 Feb. 2020].
Philippe Rahm (Pathway context)
Jade Eco Park by Philippe Rahm
Jade Eco Park
Philippe Rahm
Taichung, Taiwan
2012-2016
"The ambition of our project is to give back the outdoors to the inhabitants and visitors by proposing to create exterior spaces where the excesses of the subtropical warm and humid climate of Taichung are lessened"
I like the idea of providing/giving the experience of nature back to visitors (although it is done in an artificial way). In addition to that, I also enjoy the sensory elements (through lessening humidity, making some areas colder than another and so on) that are included in this park.
Bibliography:
1.Philipperahm.com. (2020). Jade Eco Park - Philippe Rahm architectes. [online] Available at: http://www.philipperahm.com/data/projects/taiwan/index.html [Accessed 24 Feb. 2020].
Sou Fujimoto (Pathway context)
Bibliography:
1. Pollock, N. (2016). Sou Fujimoto. London: Phaidon.
Kazuyo Sejima & Ryue Nishizawa (Pathway context)
A-art house by Kazuyo Sejima & Ryue Nishizawa
A- art house
Kazuyo Sejima & Ryue Nishizawa
2013
Inujima Island, Japan
A-Art House was designed as an exhibition space where the shape of its structure resembles the shape of a flower.
I really like the inclusion of pink, orange and yellow flowers on the acrylic of the structure as it gives a hint of different colored shades. This also alters it’s transparency which I find interesting. I will be exploring different ways to change the transparency of my design including the addition of patterns.
Bibliography:
1. designboom | architecture & design magazine. (2020). a-art house by kazuyo sejima for the inujima art house project. [online] Available at: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/a-art-house-by-kazuyo-sejima-for-the-inujima-art-house-project-10-14-2013/ [Accessed 24 Feb. 2020].
2. Frearson, A. (2020). A-Art House and C-Art House by Kazuyo Sejima. [online] Dezeen. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2013/10/15/a-art-house-and-c-art-house-by-kazuyo-sejima/ [Accessed 24 Feb. 2020].
Hostile Architecture
Bibliography:
1. En.wikipedia.org. (2020). Hostile architecture. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_architecture [Accessed 22 Feb. 2020].
Responsive Architecture
Bibliography:
1. En.wikipedia.org. (2020). Responsive architecture. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsive_architecture [Accessed 22 Feb. 2020].
Sensory design (Historical context)
History of sensory design
Vision in motion - motion in vision
Yves Klein
Hessenhuis, Antwerp, Belgium
17 March 1959 - 3 May 1959
Passing Through
Saburo Murakami
1956
Bibliography:
1. Brooks, B. (2020). How the Zero Group Became One of Art History's Most Viral Movements. [online] Artspace. Available at: https://www.artspace.com/magazine/art_101/art_market/zero-group-52526 [Accessed 22 Feb. 2020].
2. Klein, Y. (2020). Exhibitions - Vision in motion - motion in vision - Yves Klein. [online] Yvesklein.com. Available at: http://www.yvesklein.com/en/expositions/view/1160/vision-in-motion-motion-in-vision/ [Accessed 22 Feb. 2020].
COVID-19 racism
1. "In New York City, a man assaults a woman wearing a face mask, calling her a "diseased b****."
2. Jonathan Mok's attack in London
3. Personal experience
"A recent Chinese Psychology Society survey found that 42.6% of 18,000 Chinese citizens tested positive for having anxiety related to the coronavirus epidemic, Reuters reported."
Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, mental illnesses have become more prominent due to issues including stress, worry and racism.
Bibliography:
Holly Yan, Natasha Chen and Dushyant Naresh, CNN. 2020. Racist attacks on Asians spreading faster than coronavirus in US - CNN. [ONLINE] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/20/us/coronavirus-racist-attacks-against-asian-americans/index.html. [Accessed 10 March 2020].
Natural light
"A poll of 1,614 US employees by HR advisory firm Future Workplace found that access to natural light and views of the outdoors are the top most valued attributes of the workplace environment"
Natural light provides a calming environment and so I would like to make use of natural light in my design.
Bibliography:
1. AllWork.Space. 2020. Natural Light: The Secret Ingredient For A Happy Workplace | AllWork.Space. [ONLINE] Available at: https://allwork.space/2018/09/natural-light-the-secret-ingredient-for-a-happy-workplace/. [Accessed 09 March 2020].
Dialogue in the dark visit
Sensory experience around London led by a blind man
When experiencing the exhibition, I was quite terrified because the whole space was pitch black. At some point of the tour, I had a headache because I was trying really hard to see and that made my head hurt a bit. Despite that, I really enjoyed the experience because it made me think more about different user groups and how they live in this world. I felt sorry for the blind man when he told us about his story. I thought about how scary it must've been for him at the beginning because when I was in there and had to do certain activities such as to get on the bus, I was quite nervous that I would be left behind and felt bad for being slower than usual.
When doing activities such as paying for drinks, I felt helpless because I was slow and this made me wonder how other people would have felt if this is the outside world. Because everyone in the exhibition was experiencing the same thing, we were all very patient with each other but I then thought about what it would be like with other people. When I conducted the "no speaking for a day" experiment, people got annoyed at me and were impatient. I feel that being blind is a lot scarier because there aren't any other ways for you to see and it is hard to do a lot of things because you are missing your ability to see.
Glass (Materials and methods)
Lala Rukh (Art and Design context)
I am interested in the translation and documentation of sound using visual methods. I will be including the visual element into my work (maybe through patterns?)
Rudolf Stingel (Art and Design context)
I really enjoyed the touch element to this artwork and how the audiences are able to contribute to the piece. I will be taking inspiration from this artwork by exploring different materials and different ways for "touch" to be included in my piece.
Haegue Yang (Art and Design context)
Sol LeWitt Upside Down - Structure with Three Towers, Expanded 23 Times, Split in Three by Haegue Yang
Sol LeWitt Upside Down - Structure with Three Towers, Expanded 23 Times, Split in Three
Haegue Yang
2015
Powder-coated aluminium, steel, plastic, LED lights and nylon
Overall display dimensions variable
The uneven distribution of the blind's spacings caught my attention as this affected the brightness of the light.
I like how Yang experimented with the alteration of light in this piece and therefore, I will be referencing the idea of opacity when designing my work.
Bibliography:
1. Tate. (2020). ‘Sol LeWitt Upside Down - Structure with Three Towers, Expanded 23 Times, Split in Three’, Haegue Yang, 2015 | Tate. [online] Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/yang-sol-lewitt-upside-down-structure-with-three-towers-expanded-23-times-split-in-three-t15081 [Accessed 23 Feb. 2020].
Damián Ortega (Art and Design context)
Skin
Damián Ortega
2007
Leather, thread, tattoo ink, graphite on paper and board
Overall display dimensions variable
I was intrigued by how Ortega managed to "contain" and display the size of space through his artwork. I really like the inclusion of spatial into his work in a different way rather than actually showing what the space is like.
I will be taking the idea of visualization from this piece and be exploring the visual part of sensory design.
Bibliography:
1. Tate. (2020). ‘Skin’, Damián Ortega, 2006 | Tate. [online] Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/ortega-skin-98940/3 [Accessed 23 Feb. 2020].
Marina Abramovic (Art and Design context)
Rhythm 0 by Marina Abramovic
Marina Abramovic
1974
Duration: 6 hours (8pm–2am.)
Studio Morra, Naples
*SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS WERE GIVEN BY ABRAMOVIC TO THE AUDIENCE
Instructions.
There are 72 objects on the table that one can use on me as desired
Performance
I am the object.
During this period I take full responsibility.
For 6 hours, the audience was given the opportunity to use any of the objects provided on the artist herself. In the beginning, nothing really happened as people were taking photographs of her and kissing her. After a while, things took a drastic turn and people started to cut her neck, her clothes, carry her around, made her aim a gun at her neck and put a knife between her legs.
I was very much inspired by the physical interaction between the "subject" and the audience in this piece. The artist voluntarily used herself as a medium and was willing to let people interact with the "work". I find this relationship extremely inspiring as it connects all 5 main senses with the audience. I will be taking the idea of multisensory interaction from this performance and choosing two main senses that I would like my audience to interact with.
Bibliography:
1. Tate. (2020). ‘Rhythm 0’, Marina Abramovic, 1974 | Tate. [online] Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/abramovic-rhythm-0-t14875 [Accessed 22 Feb. 2020].
Samuel Beckett (Art and Design context)
Not I by Samuel Beckett
Samuel Beckett
Short dramatic monologue
1972
Not I is a short dramatic monologue that is taken place in a pitch-black space where only a single beam is illuminated on the mouth of an actress.
I am most interested in feelings that are passed on to the audience through the use of auditory and visual aspects of this performance. As it takes place in the dark, it forces the audience to experience the performance through the use of hearing (mainly) and sight.
I really like how Beckett played with lighting in this piece and will be including lights into my design.
Bibliography:
1. En.wikipedia.org. (2020). Not I. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_I [Accessed 22 Feb. 2020].
2. the Guardian. (2020). Beckett's Not I: how I became the ultimate motormouth. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/may/08/beckett-not-i-lisa-dwan [Accessed 21 Feb. 2020].