OBJECTS - BODIES - SPACES
Overview:
Semester-long, cumulative assignment exploring the design process
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Assignment:
Design an ‘exhibition’ around an original selection of 5 objects by exploring objects, bodies, and space.
Approach:
I chose five various locking mechanisms for my objects - a masterlock, an antique lock, a pair of handcuffs and two different styles of bike locks. I read these ordinary devices as representations of the human need for safety and protection and noted how this context changes drastically when a lock is applied to the human body; the perception of safety becomes dependent on who possesses control in a situation. Emotional and physical themes found in these devices, such as tension, restriction of motion, and transference of control, appear throughout this design.
Our first assignment was to take subjective photographs that place the objects into a context and setting.
I chose to use a locker as the setting and manipulated the use of light and shadow within these photographs to convey emotional tension. The use of light and shadow appears later in the design process.
This 3-D object was created based off of the idea of compounding locks established in the above illustration. Here, the original objects are imagined as locking onto themselves, becoming an entangled mass, rendered useless by their own actions.
Next, we further explored the visual aspects and "design dna"of the objects.
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I created a series of relief prints highlighting the movement and transitions between locked and unlocked positions.
I also created a composite drawing that explored the visual/emotional impact of compounding locks onto one another reminiscent of a door with an excessive amount of locks
Using the principle elements found in the 3-D object, of locks being locked on to one another to restrict motion, the same logics are then applied to the human body. The result is a large contorted mass of human bodies, tangled around one another and unable to be released without cooperation from all subjects.
Next, I established a relationship between bodies and objects.
For this, I used the body as a mechanism to interpret the objects and mimic their physical appearance and tensions.
This object is designed as a tool in which to view the exhibit and relate to the other objects on display. Participants may approach the object, choose from a set of exisitng “shapes” and follow instructions on how to inter-weave their limbs. Once they have been locked into position they may attempt to go through the exhibit.
A new object was created as a ‘prosthetic’ through which the audience could begin the experience the feeling of being locked with numerous other bodies.
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This object features portals through which participants could insert their limbs. Certain openings have a trapping device, closing tightly around a limb when the participant attempts to remove it.
For the final portion of this process, I designed a 20’ x 20’ x 20’ performance space inspired by the design logics set up in the previous exercises.
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For this iteration, instead of using the prosthetic described above to convey the feeling of being locked to other bodies, the space itself attempts to convey this feeling through claustrophobic winding spaces.
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In most locks, the actual locking mechanism is contained within a casing and it is only the effect of the lock which is seen and felt. Here, the stage is confined between a curved wall featuring cutout “viewports” and a screen. This mimics the lock in that the performance, like the locking mechanism, remains hidden within a casing, and the effect is only visible from the outside (as projected onto the screen) or through the viewports, similar to looking through a keyhole.
The emotional tension of having movement restricted is portrayed through confined passageways and the use of shadow and dramatic lighting like the shadows in the first subjective photographs at the start of the design process.
For the final portion of this assignment, we created presentation boards that included a floor plan, section, renderings, and diagrams to convey the intention of the space as it relates to our objects.
This exercise challenged us to turn our conceptual designs into concrete deliverables.
To design the space I first created a paper model that was flexible and easy to manipulate. From here I was able to create a floor plan and virtual 3-D model in Rhino.
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Next, I created a plaster model with LED lights to accompany the design boards in order to convey the atmosphere of the proposed space.
The stage is housed within the confines of curved walls and a screen and is the primary light source for the venue. This allows for shadows
of performers to be projected upon to the large screen.
The audience travels through the narrow corridor (squeeze space) in order to reach the main viewing area (projection). On the South wall of the corridor, the walls feature cutout “viewports” through which to observe the performance. On the North side of the corridor is the “Maze” which is a narrowly confined space with obstacles for a contortionist performer to weave through.
