Yesterday I bought some brackets to try to fix it with the solenoid.
Today I managed to complete the task.
I tried 2 different spot on the helmet to secure my solenoid to, at the top and at the back.
The top one is fine but it is difficult to mount the bracket as there is not even surface as shown. Hence it was hard to get it straight and thus I failed to make it straight.
However, placing it at the back was so much easier and it actually is better because I plan to hang the helmet anyway. I also decided to drill a hole in order to let the wire run inside of the helmet.
I fastened the solenoid to the bracket with 2 small black cable ties. It worked really well actually.
As you can see on the inside of the helmet, the wires are inside and this will make the installation look cleaner.
For now, I do not have any title for this work just yet. But enjoy the photographs. Will be doing a behind the scene video as well! Stay tune!
The idea behind this installation is to create a conversation on the topic of construction. These hard hats could represent a foreign worker or it could represent a balance between the right amount of nature and architecture in terms of buildings.
In a summary, this installation speaks about the concept of construction which is relevant in more developing countries and also developed countries as well. These safety hats are balanced on an acrylic rod which stands on its centre of gravity. This act of balancing represent the challenge government bodies faced on the issue of preserving the nature but at the same time, building infrastructure for the progress for the nation.
Simple materials were used in this installation. There are only 3 items in fact. Helmets, nails and acrylic rods. The use of nails protruding the top of the helmet symbolises the life of these construction workers where they are nailed down to this choice of employment due to the lack of education.
This installation is interactive in a way that the helmets will sway left and right where there are winds, hence this installation is site specific.
Thank you to Vivian and Cindy for helping me out with the set up! Appreciate it!
Over the weekend, I was still thinking of how to improve the current idea of my last post here. I was walking towards Tiong Bahru and i saw this construction site. Then it hit me. Scaffolding. I was thinking on what do I use as a stand for the hard hat to balance. So I went to art friend. I was also thinking, why didn’t i think of putting my installation at the roof of ADM? cause IT MAKE PERFECT SENSE! There is wind and the grass floor is a perfect way to cheat. Furthermore, it emphasise of the concept of construction and nature. Having the right balance of nature and building is a challenged for every government and Singapore has find ways to tackle this. So I imagine this installation to be at the roof of ADM.
But first, I have to find the helmet’s centre of gravity. So what i did was to balance the helmet with a pole from the inside of the helmet. And I mark it and nailed it.
This nail would be the final balancing point that will connect the helmet and the pole.
Sometimes I have trouble finding the right spot and when that happens, I have to nailed it again.
For the pole, I chose 2 different materials. Acrylic rod and a wooden one. When I tried both material on site, I was in for a surprise. It turns out when I took a photo, the acrylic rod seems invisible! It is almost an illusion. And I am loving this. The only problem is that I have to find a acrylic rod that is not hollow.
As you can see, it stays quite nicely. Imagine the whole roof is filled with these helmets. It will be visually pleasing.
In terms of playing with the height, I also put some thoughts into it. I was thinking of playing with different height for different helmet but I won’t be making that decision now. Below is the video when there is wind.
The recess week is almost over and I still really have not really think of how my analog installation is going to take shape honestly. Despite the ideas that I shared last week in class, I still feel there is something missing in my work. Until today.
I was walking back to ADM from North Spine for lunch and 2 events I experienced struck me.
Firstly, these white helmets on the back of a bicycle. They were placed there randomly and they were almost balancing on the basket.
Secondly, when I was reaching ADM’s carpark, they were cleaners up climbing to wash the exterior of the building. They were wearing safety helmets incase anything happens.
Then suddenly, an idea struck me. I know I need to add another element to my yellow safety hat so this thought have always lingers in my mind. What if I could let the safety hat balance in motion? Below is an sketch that I did to visualise my idea. I would need a some sort of a stand that is able to take the centre of gravity of the helmet for it to balance.
I also thought about the layout of these balancing helmet. If I have nice helmets spaced out evenly, like option number 2, it would allow people to walk in between them to get a closer look of the installation.
sketch of helmet and layout options
In my opinion, I feel that this additional element in my analog installation would look good. I can imagine all 9 of them in balance and the tiny subtle movement of the hats would make the experience even special. I also feel that with the wind coming in from the side, it will shake the helmet and it will produce a very stunning visual moment in art history.
Furthermore, it speaks about how working in a construction place is actually a balancing act. Figuratively. One needs the right balance to ensure a right balance of work and also play. Working in high element in a construction place also requires a good balance as it is very dangerous and risky working in high places.
I feel the message is quite simple and subtle at the same time. I also thought of different places around ADM that I could install them to make the experience better. Below are the places that I consider. Taking in consideration that these frames that i took are the final frame that i would want to photograph them cinematically.
Option 1: Outside the lobby. Clean nice background
Option 2: Outdoor carpark. Spacious empty and windy
Option 4: Outdoor carpark. Different side of the carpark.
I’m all about the photograph and the final landscape that these helmets will play a part in the space. So i feel that the location is also equally important.
I was googling works of installation art that deals with a balancing act and I feel this is quite accurate to what I have in mind. I’m not too sure where and what this is about though.
I did a quick balance of my safety helmet that I have in class.
It seems i would need to make a small incise cut on to the helmet to make the balance more stable. Below is one example of a balancing toy.
I admit, it is hard to think of a concept and come up with ideas. No I lie, it is not hard to come up with ideas, the hard part is to actually stick with it.
Not trying to sound like a broken record, I am doing on the theme of Construction this whole semester for Interactive Spaces. I feel this direction will allow me to think creatively and also to limit ideas within a smaller frame. Does that make sense?
Below is a mind map that I have construct (pun intended) to allow me to see clearly where can I go with this. I would not have see things clearly if I hadn’t done this mind map actually. What’s interesting is that construction is not always about building things but it could also be tearing down things, like for example, demolishing an old building.
I have an idea of doing a sound installation so I did explore what kind of sound a construction would made and below are some of it which could be more of course.
What if I could have a space that is able to allow people to experience a soundscape of a construction place. I think that could be cool. But taking inspiration from my previous post on Zul Mahmod’s work, I would like to construct a sound installation based on a data. Making sense of the first assignment where i used the yellow safety helmet, I would continue that series onto the next one. Here’s the one where Zul uses a solenoid motor to make a sound installation.
So my idea is this; have a helmet in a orderly manner and have these solenoid motor on each one of them to represent the connection between the helmet and a metal, which is a symbolic for construction I feel. Below is the sketches that i made.
The installation would require a little bit of programming as I want the solenoid to hit on interval times according to the data that I wish to tell and one of them is, the number of life is taken in a construction site.
However, after consulting LPD, he say that, the idea would be perfect for the final assignment instead.
So right now, I am going to loan out the Zoom 6 and put underneath the helmet to amplify the echo the helmet made! Be right back.
Today on the 2nd of February 2016, week 4 of the second semester, we showed our assignment of changing one’s perception by making a device or some sort. My final product was a helmet, to be worn to experience emptiness and also the echo of voidThis is me showing a demo on how my device work.You put it over your head and you’re done. It was quite special to me because it was my first work that i did some hands on work with the drill. Even though you can’t see the face of the user, somehow it has a face, due to the texture of the helmet.
It was amazing to see how my professor was wearing it and was knocking himself onto the wall. It somehow make sense because that is what construction helmet is made to last.
When the other classmates was trying on my device, it was exciting to see how they would move themselves. Most people took small baby steps in order to avoid any objects. That is totally normal as we will be cautious of our surroundings as we cannot see what is in front of us. It hurts not knowing what is right in front but not able to see it.
To conclude, I think this concept of mind can be further extend to a photography series or a short film. I feel it somehow talk about the construction society, which Singapore is one example. Foreign workers who are the ones who usually adorn this yellow helmets, following orders from their employer. This would be a good topic to tackle.
I will be compiling a video as soon as I got the time to edit.
So here it is, I’ve completed the construction of my helmet and I will titled this piece ‘The Head’. Actually I haven’t made up my mind yet.
As I get my material which is the helmet, i tried to get the shape together by trying out different combination. Taping it together by masking tape, I tried to get the shape to stay and it kinda work but this combination is not really covers the side of the head. As you can see below, this combination does not cover the side and it is redundant as it won’t allow full protection. So I explore more different shapes and decided to get one more helmet into the mix.
After getting one more helmet, I took the design of my first sketch actually. Visually it looks pleasing as well!
I also realise when I was wearing it, it has an echo as the helmet is shape as such. It adds another element to it i guess.
The helmet is joined by making a simple drill and tighten it by bolt and nut.
Finding the right place to join was quite a challenge as well cause I would need to find the right spot.
Here’s a look from the inside.
Will share with you readers especially su hui, with the documentation photograph next!
So the anticipating trailer for my first assignment for Interactive Spaces is here. Not finally here but it’s here.
Again just to share about my project. The perception of a safety helmet is to project your head while one is working on a construction place. Now, I made a helmet which does not allow one to see but I would argue that you be totally safe as it protects your whole head instead of just the top of your head.
My second idea was a little more realistic. I decided to think simple, compared to my previous idea. I choose a yellow Construction helmet. Below is my sketch and my reasoning behind it.
As the construction helmet is to actually protect our head from any falling objects in construction site, I still feel that it can still kill you.
So I see the head as the main concept here, which we use everyday. We see with our eyes which is on our head, we use our brain which is located inside our head and in a way, it is our temple, where we keep our insanity and where we make sense of everything.
I wanted to challenged that notion with making a construction helmet which covers the whole head instead of just the top of our head. In terms of our assignment in twisting our perception, I think it relates because when one is wearing this helmet, not only they can’t see, they are practically super safe, because the helmet is covering the whole face! You do not have to worry about poking yourself in the eye while you walk!
This was the idea that I am trying to play with.
I also make some sketches that I imagine the helmet will look like.
I bought the helmets and start to assemble them with tape to just see how it will look like. I even wear it to see if it fits.
This is me showing a demo on how my device work.
You put it over your head and you’re done. It was quite special to me because it was my first work that i did some hands on work with the drill.
