My Work – Page 5

January 24, 2017February 16, 2017

Narratives for interaction – Ideation (1)

Topic: Nature/ Natural environment

Concept: Simulation of real life conditions, with educational facts and data

What is it?
An interactive webpage that features two to three different modes, each with their own storyline – Forest, sea, and pitch-black mode. Players will be allowed to choose their modes at the start page. Each mode can be narrated in two different ways – purely text and voice-over narration.

Inspirations:

Blindscape is a piece of experimental storytelling that takes place entirely through sound. The narrative is told from the point of view of a man in an authoritarian society who wants to escape his intolerable life by ending it.

I find this game story very engaging and immersive, despite its complete lack of visuals. It’s focus on sounds and narration, paired with some interaction along the story (like finding stuff in the dark) heightens your sense of hearing and touch, and results in a unique player experience.

Interactivity:

Motion tracking – swimming gesture using the arms as the story progresses, possible tools/gadgets: camera tracking, gesture tracking software and PIR sensors (detects infrared radiation)
VR surroundings – for better visual and all rounded experience. Players can explore 360 degrees from one spot, to find clues or to learn about their surroundings
Enhanced sound effects and ambient sounds – especially for the pitch-black mode (e.g. rustling of the leaves, clear narration, bubbles underwater)

February 21, 2016February 21, 2016

2D II – Project 1 Typographic Portrait

I started this project off by making a list of my personal traits, likes and preferences.

My name is Joan & I’m a giraffe!

My nickname from my friends. Some people say I look like a giraffe and even eat like a giraffe. (??)
Personally I love giraffes as they’re really fascinating creatures, both looks and behaviour-wise.

Some facts about giraffes:
Of all mammals, giraffes sleep the least. They sleep for about 10-mins to 2 hours each day. (That is so me)
Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up; they even sleep and give birth standing up.
Giraffes are known to bellow, snort, hiss, make flute-like noises as well as low pitch sounds beyond the range of human hearing!

I’ve experimented with different forms of the giraffe postures, and tried incorporating my name into the body of a giraffe. However, I found this quite challenging as their postures are usually very rigid.

It was especially difficult to fit a ‘J’ into parts of their bodies as they don’t curve upwards like that. After some research, I’ve decided to use the curled up sleeping posture of a baby giraffe.

This layout is inspired by scientific diagrams. National Geographic Wild is one of my favourite channels on TV, as I’ve loved animals ever since I was a kid. I like finding out facts about wild animals behaviour, how to approach them, what to avoid, etc. Therefore I’ve arrange my composition to imitate a scientific giraffe labeling diagram from a national geographic magazine.

My name is Joan & I’m an aspiring chef!

I enjoy cooking and baking during my free time, and trying out new recipes I come across online. To start off this idea, I decided to split it into two – the baking and the cooking.

Baking
Some of the things I like to bake: oreo cheesecake, mousse cake, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cranberry cookies, macarons (so difficult!!), cupcakes
It’s always a fun experience to bake; the preparation of ingredients, the mixing, the decorating, and of course, the washing up at the end (boo).

Experimentation with the shapes of pastries:

Bakery production composition #1

Bakery production composition #2
Although this is not as colourful, it has perspective and hence is a better composition

Using the similar idea, I created another composition based on the idea of cooking. (Ingredients: mushrooms, carrots, etc.)

In order to merge both compositions (2 aspects of being an aspiring chef) into one, I employed this folding mechanism, such that each of the composition can be seen from each side.

My name is Joan & I’m aquatic!

I love water-related things/activities – swimming, beaches, waterfalls, etc. Not only is water very cooling on a hot day, it is also very therapeutic.

Experimentation with the smudging and dripping of water, and using different types of glue to imitate the nature of water.

Experimentation with the marbling technique (using shaving cream):

I had a lot of fun trying out this technique, creating swirls using different paints and colours. However, one of my biggest problems was the smudging. I did some research online about it but I was unable to find a working solution. A video advised us to leave the print to settle for a few minutes before scraping off the paint, but that did not work for me. After much trials and error, I found a way to lift the paper from the shaving cream without the cream sticking to it. It is to lift the paper swiftly from the tray of cream (thick layer for enough weight). The result was less swirly due to the unscraped paint.

I also explored a little on the ‘amphibious’ side of me, adding some land into a composition with water. This was inspired by the proportions of seawater to land on earth. (71% water 29% land)

Final

My name is Joan & I’m an observer!

I am a curious person and I like to explore and wander. However, after some experimentation with imageries and ideas (meerkats & mazes), I decided to narrow it down to a single idea – I’m an observer. As a generally quiet and reserved person, I tend to observe more than I participate.

Inspiration from Where’s Wally pictures: I love how these pictures are both very interesting and interactive at the same time, how wally is always cleverly hidden in small corners. Hence I started exploring and attempt to create my own version of Where’s Wally.

People doing strange things in different parts of the picture.
I’ve also tried out different colour schemes for this composition:

Final

January 25, 2016January 25, 2016

Trip to the SAM!

Here’s a review about two of the installation in the exhibition 5 Stars: Art Reflects on Peace, Justice, Equality, Democracy and Progress in the Singapore Art Museum (SAM).

Raising Spirits and Restoring Souls (2015) by Zulkifle Mahmod
64-channel midi controller, solenoids, e-bows, amplifiers, piano/bass/guitar strings, copper pipes, midi player and others
Dimensions variable
Collection of the Artist, Singapore Art Museum commission

(Photo credit: Zulkifle Mahmod)

This installation by Zulkifle Mahmod is exceptionally capturing due to the effective use of sound, rhythm and technology. A huge maze of copper pipes spread along the towering walls of the gallery, with attached midi players and other gadgets. A metronomic orchestra of clinks and twangs are then played by the solenoid valves and e-bows.

Personally, I am intrigued by the clever use of technology in this installation. It is rather encapsulating as to how each beat along the pipes are precisely timed and how the resulting percussion is refreshing, catchy, yet somehow familiar. The presence of rhythmic movement by the echoes throughout the room evokes a sense of identity and alliance through collaboration.

Upon reading the artist’s description, Raising Spirits and Restoring Souls is actually inspired by our national anthem, Majulah Singapura. Through the process of distillation, the tune is simplified into percussion beats. Drawing focus to the line “Sama sama menuju bahagia” (Let us progress towards happiness together), Zulkifle examines the significance of it to fellow Singaporeans. This concept is further emphasized by its visuals. The maze of copper pipes spread throughout the room seems to represent the network within the Singaporean community, and how the same song (our national anthem) is echoed by every child in school every morning. Majulah Singapura is a familiarity to every Singaporean. However, the artist further ponders if the national anthem (specifically the idea of progress) really resonates with locals.

“Most of us believes that progress is a linear path; perhaps it is anything but.”

Another sound installation work by Zulkifle Mohmod: No Substance
https://vimeo.com/124501649 ☺

Bloodline of Peace (2015) by Suzann Victor
Fresnel lenses, blood and metal pins
4000 x 216 cm
Collection of the Artist, Singapore Art Museum commission

This large installation by Suzann Victor has a majestic, soaring impact on its viewers as they enter the gallery. The generous use of space within the room allows the artist to convey a strong sense of flow, through the arrangement and presentation of the quilt. This work is constructed by joining over 11,500 units of Fresnel lenses together, each with a single drop of blood in the middle, contributed by Singaporean individuals from key communities (armed forces, medicine, arts, etc).

My first impression of this artwork was the idea of beauty and perfection. From afar, the long glittery quilt suggests luxury and purity, and looks almost surreal. However, on closer inspection, the drop of blood on each lens indicated a much deeper meaning behind the work. Was the use of blood a representation of the little-known pain and torture behind something that was ‘perfect’ on the surface (child labour, blood diamond)? Or perhaps, a symbol of unity amongst a community of people who has worked through blood, sweat and tears to achieve success?

Upon reading the artist’s description, the Bloodline of Peace attempts to bring together a diverse range of Singapore through the rich gift of blood (a symbol of life, pain, health). Singapore has undergone decades of change and progress, through war, bloodshed, independence and urbanization, all of which would not have been attain without the unity of her people. Hence, the use of blood signifies the utmost sacrifice and willingness of a fellow Singaporean for the nation, and the hard won peace earned in the late 20th century Singapore. Finally, as each of these individual fragment are combined, a monumental quilt – the Bloodline of Peace, is made.

November 8, 2015November 8, 2015

Colour Research

Colour is a form of non verbal communication. Our preference of colours changes with our mood, experiences and our surroundings. Colours can also affect us in many ways, both mentally and physically. For example, red has been known to raise one’s blood pressure, while a forest of green soothes one’s eyes.

The primary colours are red, blue & yellow.
The secondary colours are green, orange & purple. (Combination of primary colours)

The colour wheel or colour circle can also be divided into two portions – warm & cool colours.
Warm – red, orange, yellow (yellow being the warmest)
Cool – green, blue, purple (blue being the coolest)

Colour meaning

Red – The colour of fire and blood, often associated with energy, anger, war, danger, strength power, determination, passion and drive.
Red is a very emotionally and physically intense colour. It is accented, stimulating people to make quick decisions (hence frequently used in advertisements, promotions), raises one’s blood pressure and respiration rate.

Orange – A combination of the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. This tropical colour is the colour of happiness, joy, enthusiasm, fascination, creativity, attraction and success. It a very warm and hot colour, however, it is not as aggressive as red.

Yellow – Colour of sunshine and happiness. Associated with joy, positive energy and intellect.
As the warmest colour in the spectrum, it has a warming effect, stimulating comfort, cheerfulness and mental activity. Yellow is no doubt an attention getter, and hence most commonly used on cabs and in highlighters. It is also a childish colour often used in children’s toys and not in classy, high end products.

Green – The colour of nature and the most restful colour for the human eye. It is often used to symbolize growth, nurture, freshness and fertility. It also suggests stability, ambition, and peace.
As the complimentary of red, green represents safety and healing power. It can be seen on many medicine labels, fresh organic products, as well as to indicate a positive growth in the economy.

Blue – Coolest colour, the colour of the skies and the seas. Symbolizes truth, wisdom, loyalty, confidence, faith and the clarity of mind. Blue has a cooling effect on the body and mind, giving one a sense of tranquility. It is also a masculine colour that is associated with stability, depth and expertise and hence is highly accepted by males.

Purple – A combination of blue and red. This artificial colour represents royalty, pride, power, nobility, luxury. Purple and sometimes used to symbolize wisdom, extravagance, creativity and magic. It is an eye-catching colour that has proven to attract the attention of most children and hence is often used in the advertising of children’s toys, especially dolls.

White – Represents purity, innocence, goodness and cleanliness. As opposed to black, it usually has a slightly more positive connotation. Often associated with angels, heaven and light. White is often used in the medical industry to represent sterility and cleanliness and in modern high technology devices to represent innovation and simplicity.

Black – Black symbolizes power, elegance, evil, mystery, strength and authority. It gives a sense of perception and depth. However, it can also be used to block out details of the background or surroundings to make the subject matter and its colours stand out. In art, black is also often used to create high contrast and distinction between objects.

The colour wheel is also the commonly used tool for colour mixing and combination of colours. Traditionally, there are a number of colour combinations that are considerably more pleasing to look at. These were obtained through the application of colour schemes – complimentary, analogous and triadic, split-complimentary, rectangle (tetradic) and square.

Complementary colour scheme:

Colours that are opposite each other in the colour wheel. For example: red and green, blue and orange, purple and yellow.
The high contrast of the opposite colours produces and very vibrant look, and could be jarring to the eyes if used in large amount and in high saturation.
Such a colour scheme can be challenging to strike a balance in colours, but is very effective in creating a focus and making one of the objects stand out from its background.

Analogous colour scheme:

Colours that are next to each other in the colour wheel. For example: Red and orange and yellow, green and blue and purple.
This colour scheme is often found in nature as the colours match very well and are soothing, pleasing to the eye. The three colours support each other and create a serene, comfortable design. However, this colour scheme cannot be used to create high contrast.

Triadic colour scheme:
Colours form a triangle in the colour wheel. For example: orange and green and purple, red and yellow and blue.
Triadic colour schemes are vibrant and create a good contrast. When carefully balanced, the colours can be harmonized successfully, producing an attention catching work that is at the same time pleasing to the eye.

Split-complimentary colour scheme:
A variation of the complimentary colour scheme. In addition to the base colour, it uses the two colours adjacent to the complement.
This colour scheme has the same strong visual effect as the complimentary colour scheme, but has less tension and is less jarring. Similarly, a good balance of the three colours is required for an effective composition.
Rectangle (tetradic) colour scheme:
Uses four colours that form a rectangle in the colour wheel; consists of two pairs of complimentary colours. A rich colour scheme that allows plenty of room for variation. One can play around with all four colours, warm and cool.

Square colour scheme:

This colour scheme is similar to the rectangle, but with all four colours equally spread out in the colour wheel. Similarly, this allows plenty of variations and possibilities in the arrangement of warm and cool colours. The square colour scheme works best if one colour is made dominant.