Category: My Work

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wk6: site and form exploration

feedback from last week:

two ways going about it;
CASTING: creating an object/sculpture to cast shadows
FRAMING: using elements around us (nature and sunlight) and framing/emphasising their shadows

 

material consideration
polyester mesh; white translucent cloth; paper; frosted acrylic; polished aluminum

NB. we were thinking if there is any material that is photosensitive i.e. absorbs light in the day and emits fluorescent light at night — trapping the shadows

 

experimentation and observation

two ways of seeing how shadow interacts with the medium:

direct light

View post on imgur.com

back light

 

in back light, the effect between light and shadow is attenuated/toned down

 

site consideration

1. stair linkway between North and South Spine

 

2. NIE entrance

 

3. entrance of the Quad

 

 

based on the feedback, we wanted to look into how we could frame existing elements. hence we looked for light/shadow-abundant areas. also taking into consideration the possibility of constructing an actual installation at the location

 

references

Le Banc de Nelge (the Bench of Snow), Atelier Pierre Thibault

 

City of Hope Kaplan Family Pavilion, AHBE

Tree, Myoung Ho Lee

 

Wall in Blue Ash Tree, Letha Wilson

 

installation for Noisily Festival, Rupert Newman

temporary pavilion by students of Bezalel Academy of Art and Design

 

 

White Extension, Sasa Ciabatti, Bilyana Asenova and Archistart

 

The Gates, Christo and Jean Claude

mass-void theory

 

form exploration

01

version 1

follows contour and path of the shadow as it moves throughout the day

version 2

using a geometric shape such as a circle (as shown) or a rectangle, it contrasts with the organic forms of the cast shadow, allowing the white to be a ‘frame’ or ‘canvas’. the bench distorts the cast shadow and creates a new perspective to the flat white; it also defines a volume of the object whilst emphasising the effect.


version 3

the use of reflective material reflects the cast shadow, duplicating and emphasising them; the top reflects the foliage above, offering a new perspective and prompting viewers to look up. viewers can differentiate between the colourful reflection and the monochrome shadow on the white background, emphasising the beautiful effect of the shadow.

 

02

technically can be placed in any open space; not site-specific

includes a small tree inside a pot/bench. throughout the day, shadow is cast onto the white circular screen (light material which will add movement when wind blows)

 

03

version 1

 

version 2

floating sculpture that allows audience to view shadows of trees and objects in the environment cast onto the material. the shape invokes curiosity so people passing by are interested in approaching and viewing. the sculpture could be hanging down from branches of trees around the area or infrastructures

 

 

things to keep in mind:
how do you make users/audience notice the shadows? (importance of framing)
cannot be too simple, needs to have an intention, needs to stand out from the environment, should not blend in, should not be infrastructural

 

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wk5: defining spaces

Continuing from our concept of observing the ordinary in NTU and the inspiration of the rays of light caused by the dense morning fog and the trees around the campus, we decided to forgo our original idea of using fog as a medium and focus on the use of light as a material instead.

Focus

Interplay between light and shadow to create spaces

Spaces around the campus are molded by the lush greenery prevalent in the campus area. Layers of foliage is an everyday occurrence in NTU—we see them everywhere—but even something that we see everywhere everyday can be beautiful.

Purpose

Emphasising beauty of the mundane

Initially inspired by the light broken down into rays of light by the foliage of the trees, we are looking into using the tree as a form exploration through natural stylisation. We found the rain tree in particular to be interesting. The rain tree can be found not only in NTU but island-wide, and is well-known for its wide canopy that serves as great shade. Another fun fact about the rain tree: the leaves of the rain tree close just before sunset and open again as the sun rises. This little feature could also be incorporated into our installation in creating movement and dynamism in the changing shadows.

 

References

Forest Shadow, Tomohiro Hata and Takashi Manda

“in the middle of the flood of color, what about we imagine a colorless space? only shadows of the trees exist in the world. music of birds what we didn’t take notice may come to ears of us who have enjoyed by our visions. various fragrance of nature may come to our nose. our skin may feel gentle breeze. on the contrary, because of such a vivid season, we propose a place where our senses slightly shift to other one in exception of our visions.”

tomohiro hata + takashi manda: forest shadow

Stereographic Projection, Henry Segerman and Saul Schleimer

https://www.theguardian.com/science/alexs-adventures-in-numberland/2014/oct/30/pumpkin-geometry-stunning-shadow-sculptures-that-illuminate-an-ancient-mathematical-technique

https://www.arch.nus.edu.sg/news/light.html#

 

Louis Kahn on The Power of Shadow

“As identified by Leonardo da Vinci, we often encounter three types of shadows: Attached shadow, shading and cast shadow. The attached shadow falls on the body itself – like a cantilever roof causing a shadow on the façade. The second type belongs to bright and dark contrasts, which are inherent to the form and depend only on the source of light, e.g. a ball shaped pavilion, which even under a cast sky shows a darker zone in the lower part. The third, cast shadow, could be the result of a high house generating shadow on the street due to the projection of the building outline.”

https://www.archdaily.com/362554/light-matters-louis-kahn-and-the-power-of-shadow

 

Sublime Light, Anila Quayyum Agha

 

Photographic Exploration

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wk02: exploring beyond the seas

Hello Media Art Nexus

I decided to take this class despite having no background in animating or filming as I was inspired by some of my peers’ works last semester. I spent my first week researching on the different programs in which I could try to start learning—from After Effects to Processing—and I found it difficult to pick one because my knowledge in all the programs are at the same level: zero.

So I resolved to researching on the theme instead: Beyond the Seas.

Continue reading “wk02: exploring beyond the seas”