4D Final Project: Video Installation

Processes

Hanging of the light beam

It is important to take not in the height of the beams in order for the viewers to be able to see the screen further at the back and the block of ice which is behind the triangle. Thus, my group members have decided to try out in the different heights of the triangle using the ladder as a guide to determine where the ice block is and where the television is.

Framing of the ice block and the television against the triangle 

Though the height of the light beams seem to have matched with the height of the television and the ice block, we needed it to frame both the television and the ice block. Thus, we had to shift the light beams towards the middle of the space that it is in so that viewers can see both the ice block and the screen. Though the framing of the triangle against the television did not capture the whole television screen, the main purpose of the triangle is just to capture the scenes that are happening in the screen.

Melting and freezing of the ice block

The ice block plays a significant role in our project as the idea of having reality to be seen in a blur at first would slowly become much clearer as the ice slowly melts in the process. To achieve the melting process, my group realized that we could add salt in the water so that it lowers the melting point , the salt is added in the water together with the flowers that are also inside the rectangular shaped container. As a result, the ice will slowly melt as shown in the video.

Moreover, as shown in the third picture, the shape of the ice cube plays a significant role in our installation as it helps us to determine the small screen in which the viewers are able to peak through the reality video that is shown behind this block of ice. Base on the shape of the ice, my group would then cut out an outline from the trash bag that we have used to cover the space for our installation. As a result, this leads to another frame against the ice block and when it melts, the frame would become a small screen where the viewers can see the actual reality at the back.

The first photo was our initial trial to see how long the ice takes to freeze and melt. This is first done by placing the flowers inside a container which is filled up with water. Then, we placed it in the freezer for about a day and we realised it takes about 5 to 6 hours to freeze the ice. After which, my group decided to do research on how long it would take for the ice to melt which is actually 20 minutes. However, due to our presentation is only about 5 minutes, we had to think of alternatives in order for the ice to melt faster. We even thought of putting a hairdryer beside the block of ice since the music video will be overwhelming the noise from the hairdryer. However, we though that this idea may not be working and we decided to search deeper and realised that we could add salt to lower the melting point of the ice so that it will melt faster.

A close up view of the process of freezing of the ice block. At this stage, the water is not completely frozen yet, it is partially frozen. This image belongs to the final work that you see in our installation.

By comparing the size of the container you see in our initial stage and the container for our final work, both differ in terms of their sizes. The container for our final work is much larger as we may have noticed the importance of the size of the ice block to be placed in our final work. Thus, we have decided to use a larger container that has a definite rectangular shape to give a more define shape.

Freezing of the ice

The images you see here is showing the rectangular shape of the ice block and third and fourth image shows how much the ice has frozen.

(Please click on this link to view the melting of the ice block) https://oss.adm.ntu.edu.sg/alim038/wp-content/uploads/sites/898/2018/04/IMG_2345.mov

Crafting out of our space

In order to create an immersive space, my group has decided to choose our installation to be in the 4D room where we would cover the entire middle section of the room through the use of panels. The panels would then create a room for the viewers to walk into the space of this installation.

For the panels, we have used the trash bag as our material and opening each trash bag by cutting it into half. The same goes for the other trash bags that we have used for the various panels surrounding at the back where the television is. After opening the trash bags, we stick it with the other trash bags that we have also opened so we could have a wider panel and it also covers the entire space in the room.

Videos  from our final product

Video 1 is to show the interaction and reaction between the viewers and the artwork as they view the videos and how they interact with the space. They seem to be dancing and engulfing themselves into the space as they listen to the music but some of them may turn their attention to the video at the back as they may get curious into what is hiding at the back.

Video 1

The documentation of  the melting of the ice is also shown here as itwill melt and slowly unravelling the idea of reality. We intended the viewers to actually perceive “reality” that is shown in the music video to be okay as they would immerse themselves with the music that is louder than the reality video shown at the back. The block of ice would then melt and making the viewers realise that their own perceived reality is not what is supposed to be.

Video 2  perceiving reality 

Reflection

I feel that working in a group for this project , we are able to gather many different ideas and be able to understand how each other may perceive the use of space effectively so it could fulfil the title of our work called Soliopolism. Technical wise, the process would seem to be much faster as we learn how to help one another to set up our work and be able to create an immersive space that draws the viewers attention.

I was also able to learn the importance of space in an artwork as it is not just meant for installations in terms of sculptures or other non-digital mediums., but also for videos. The way we portray our space is for the audience to immerse themselves into the room they are in and the mood of it was at first more towards a club like atmosphere because of the light and the loud music as our background. The importance of space and the relationship between the videos is to help narrate our intentions of distinguishing between perceived reality and reality.

4D Project 3: Video Installation


Solipsism

C o n c e p t

ESCAPISM.
ɪˈskeɪpɪz(ə)m,ɛˈskeɪpɪz(ə)m/
noun
the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.

To find refuge in the safe haven we created out of fiction and dreams;
An inner sanctum
Far away from the outside world
Rid of noise and hate,
Disappointments and curses
Complexity and time,
Impossibilities and limits.

However, are we just conceited to think that this is reality?

Living in such a peaceful and protected country, we are shielded from the many atrocities out there in the world. Sometimes, it is just so difficult to comprehend that such violence and hate exist. Many a times, we would like to believe that the world is just as peaceful:
No natural disasters.
No violence.
No hate.
No riots.
No nothing.

However, this is a mere delusion on our part.

If we just listen, if we just open our eyes a bit more, we’ll realise that the world is in a worse state that what we perceive it to be.
Artist statement
This installation seeks to break away from this false reality that everything’s okay. We will be creating a space where audiences will be dragged away from their walls of comfort to see what the real deal in the world is.

The Installation

In our installation space, we will have 2 videos playing concurrently.

There will be a video of our perceived reality–a place of comfort and peace–juxtaposed against a video of reality–chaos and troubles in different parts of the world.

The two screens projected on walls facing each other, with the ice installation in between.

Medium used

2 Video installations with an ice installation.

2 Videos

Mishmash of appropriated works that would display:

  • Our perceived reality
  • Chaos in the outside world.

Ice Installation 

A block of ice with a motif within.

Relationship between content and form

To convey our idea of escapism and ignorance, we decided to incorporate ice in our installation.

Why ICE?

It is used to preserve

Slows down the decaying process

The melting state of ice

Being a metaphor for the chaos in the world

The water molecules haphazard movement/lack of order in the liquid state vs the uniform and pristine structure of  the solid state

The frosted nature of ice prevents things to be seen clearly

Skewed perspective (due to not seeing things clearly) resulting in a misinformed worldview, (thus our idea)

Logistics

Two projectors
A block of ice
flower
Cloth partition

Location
Critique Room at B1

Artist Reference:

Diana Thater
https://art21.org/artist/diana-thater/

https://mcachicago.org/Exhibitions/2016/Diana-Thater

https://www.wsj.com/articles/film-and-video-artist-diana-thaters-first-retrospective-at-lacma-1446755596

She mainly deals with video projection , television monitors and screens placed on the flat ground. However, what my group is planning to focus on is the how she uses video projections to create an immersive space for her installation.
One example of her work is Delphine (1999)(Fig1),
Her usage of a video projector helps to break out the rectangular frame of the video and the dolphins projected on the wall allows the viewers to immerse themselves into the space and imagine the fluidity movement of the dolphins swimming in different angles. As for my group’s work, we are planning to use a video projector to project two screens, one is based on reality while the other is our perceived reality. By using a projector on a screen, we are able to let the viewers to immerse themselves into that video and be able to picture how each reality feels like.

Her main themes revolve around human and nature that is how humans have destroyed nature. Her techniques of juxtaposition and layering of animals and plant life. She then projected what she has filmed in different angles. My group plans to do a narrative that could involve some layering to tell how true reality can be hidden or blurred from perceived reality.
Bill Viola
We were inspired by how Bill Viola manipulates different elements to show reveal two contrasting ideas through his video installation.

Acceptance (2008)

For his work on Acceptance, he beautifully depicts the transience of life, stepping from one realm to another. Running water was used to distinct the two realms from each other – the effect created as the lady crosses the barrier is amazingggggg.

The Crossing (1996)

Using natural elements like fire and water, Bill conveys his message of the creation and destruction, placing both works side by side with the constancy of the man in both videos.

Bahar Yurukoglu
http://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/8558/the-artist-using-neon-geometry-as-a-means-of-escapism

“Fascinated by what happens when the extremities of the natural world and the synthetic combine, the artist is so bewitched by geometry she “sees squares and triangles rather than buildings and mountains.” Air-conditioning chills the space, and a recording of melting ice fills the air.”

Omar Fast

“Within the variables of spoken and stunning, visual narrative, Omar Fast challenges human susceptibility to preconceived notions within genre placing it under his critical hand. Skewing fact and fiction within digital arrangements of collaged appropriated news footage, as well as aerial shots  and cinemacially glorious self-productions. Within the facade of seemingly legitimate forms he pushes our ability to extrapolate truth in meaning within the assemblage of a discordant media forms.”

CNN Concatenated (2002)

For video #2, we would like to use a similar technique to present chaos. By appropriating news footages, we can bombard audience with the happenings in the world and evoke a sense of discomfort in them.

Process

Idea 1 :

To create a space frozen in time, seconds before chaos happens.

Eg. a cup of milk almost spilling, chair tilting over

Juxtaposed against projections of the calm and peaceful which is what the audience indulge in.

Idea 2:

A pavilion of peace and dreams

Slowly disintegrating

Broken shards of crystals

Sound of chaos, (reversed or not)

Idea 3:

Video installation depicting the chaos happening in the world;

Poverty, disasters, riots, etc.

Fogged spectacles will be issued upon entering the installation space.

As the audience  see the screen through the fogged spectacles, they would see blurred images, colours/ phosphenes (the imaginary)

As the fog starts to wear off, the audience will slowly be exposed to the unpleasant realities projected on the screen.

Idea 4:
Video installation with interactive space

“Take me away
For I am not made for here

The palms of my hands cannot contain what the world has to offer
My shoulders,
broken and crumbled under forced responsibilities and duties,
cannot hold the weight of consequences
My knees give way when I chase my dreams
My feet heavy,
Dragging dismay and disappointment
The voice of my heart silenced by the reality of things
My ears deafened by the hateful noise of this world
My soul deconstructed

And this suffocating space
I cannot take
Bring me away
For I am not made for here”
Multiple video screens would be used, playing the backdrop to the inner sanctum – the fairytale-sque interactive space we created.

Through time, the video would slowly show cracks, slowly revealing the chaos/reality happening outside the inner sanctum.

This whole installation reveals the deep desire of an individual to flee from the harsh reality by hiding within herself. She soon realises there’s no point escaping; reality is inevitable.

She has to face it.

Possible content of narrative

A student who is bullied and misunderstood both in school and at home. She thus retreats within herself as that is her only form of escape, the only place that she feels safe in.

Idea 5:
Video Installation
Peace vs chaos.
Though we live in the same world, our experiences are almost polarizing from one another.

Example
Cutting chicken in sg
Vs
Stabbing someone elsewhere in the world.

The video shows the juxtaposition of peace and chaos around the world; just because you are feeling peace does not mean chaos does not exist.

Idea 6:

Layers of cloth acting as screens. Videos of the calm and peaceful projected on these cloths.

At the end of the walkway, there will be a screening of a video with collages of chaos walking past the cloths, towards the end, the chaos video becomes clearer (was blur at first as a result of the translucent cloth in front of it.)

Shows how one cannot escape from reality forever. The delusions that everything is alright doesnt make everything alright at all.