Monthly Archives: November 2017

4D foundation project 4: Poetics of Time

Leave a reply

When the brief for project 4 was released, I knew I wanted to do something that relates to our daily lives that revolves around the idea of time and space.

Original Idea

The original idea for the final project was to film a video; a depiction of how a short everyday act / situation seems like a long process; because of how the situation triggered and impacted on the individual. It will be a simple act, in video form, of a slow process of a person entering a toilet cubical. As he/she took off her/his pants, music starts to play, and a dance/ movement / body language is shown to depict the process of “struggling’ to take a dump. It revolves around the idea of “Expectation vs Reality”. How people perceive things in the back of their mind and how it actually look and feels when shown directly upfront.

In the video, I wanted to use projection as a background effect to enhance the long and painful thought process of taking a dump through the visuals and lightings from a projector. However, there are a few circumstances that made this idea a failed one. Firstly, to be able to film a person’s body movement in a cubical required a huge amount of distances from the projector to the toilet bowl. 

 

As experimented from the distance in my room, from the distance from the projector to myself is about 4 meters. Having say that, the screen is only able to project onto the top half of my body. Besides, it was hard to find a cubical with this amount of distance for projection.

^ About 4 meters from wall to projector

Next, due to technology advancement, the lights from the toilets are often operated through sensor lights. This will cause the projection to not be able to show well as projection only works well in a dark room. 

 

Changed Idea

Because of all the difficulties, I decided not to use the projector.  

At this point, I questioned myself what kind of plot do I want to show my audiences. What is it that I would like my audiences to take away after watching my video. I decided to think about my 1st thought process: In the daily life activities that I executed everyday such as eating, shitting, and bathing, I will always require some sort of entertainment to keep myself entertain. In a way as though I wouldn’t feel as if I was doing something boring in a confined space for a long time. From here, I know that I wanted to do comparison video that shows the difference in edited time and running time. From this video, I would like my audiences to appreciate time more, to know that they can actually do multiple things at a time in a confined space.

Final Execution

In this video, scenes were broken down into different cuts. The video placed in the middle is a depiction of how I spend my time in the toilet to take a dump. This video is shot in running time, where it shows my actual reactions while I took a 3-4 shit in the toilet with no edited scenes. 

The videos at the other 2 ends shows how I perceive time while I engaged in different activities in the toilet. These videos are shot in edited time, where the video is either fast forwarded, or slow downed. 

The 1st activity that I engaged in while in the toilet is a phone call. You will notice that when I am talking on the phone, the edited time on the left is being fast forwarded. This speed up process is an interpretation of how I felt in the toilet; time flies faster when I am chatting on the phone, in comparison to me taking a dump without doing anything. Here, the speed of the video is increased by 210% (when edited in premiere pro) , and the voices through the phone call is fast forwarded too ( high pitch voices can be heard). When the call was dropped, the video with edited time (left side) went back to its regular speed. (unedited) 

The next activity that I engaged in was playing mobile games on my phone (cut scene on the right). Just like the 1st activity, edited time was used where the video was fast forwarded by 300%. Here, I felt that flies even faster while playing mobile games in the toilet. 

In these 2 activités, some pauses were made between each edited time. For example, in the 1st video someone knocked onto the door; I (main actor) gets up from the toilet bowl to check the door, at the same time edited video t the left was bring to a pause. Or in the 2nd video, I almost dropped my phone while playing games on my mobile, here, edited time in the video on the right was brought to a pause too. These 2 examples shows that when the main character lose touch or interaction with the edited time, it was brought to a stop, while running time/ real time continues. 

The last activity shows myself putting down my phone and ready to take a dump. Here, a cut scene of edited time was shown.( at the left) It depicts a scene of me eating a chocolate bar in slow-motion. Chocolate or junk food in general are the types of food that made it hard for me to shit. Thus as I was struggling to take a dump, the cut scene of me eating a chocolate bar was shown. Time was edited to slow-mo as the process of taking a dump felt long and dreadful. 

Movement

The movement of my final work is quite stationary, where the actor is fitted down and confined with a space itself. only movements of hands and facial expressions were shown. However, different unexpected movements were shown; for example when someone knocks the toilet door or when the actor drops her phone. Here we see that the different situations around the actor changes her movements as she reacts to each unforeseen circumstances. 

Rhythm 

The overall rhythm in this video is imbalance due to the different situations or scenario involving the actor, however, it remains balances for some time in each situation ( for example playing on the phone for 30sec straight ) which makes the entire video seems longer than 4 mins. 

Duration 

The actual timing of this video is about 4mins. While acting in the video, engaging in the different scenario such as phone calls and playing mobile games, the 4 mins felt like it ended very quickly. However, as the audiences watches the entire 4 min video itself, they felt as though time pasts very slowly, as if the video was about more than 8mins. This is because audiences kept seeing repeated movements during each different scenarios, as they anticipated eagerly as to when the actor will finish taking a dump. This anticipated made the audiences felt like time passes slowly, which is what I wanted to achieve in this video. So that they would learn to make use of the given time wisely. 

Causality

this video is said to be unexpected, even though audiences have a clear knowledge of how the video is going to end as they all knew how taking a dump in a toilet was like; it was an expected ending. However was was  unexpected was the different events that took place in the video such as taking a phone call and playing mobile games. Even the reactions of the actor to the knocking of door and dropping of phone was uncalled for. This creates anticipation to the audiences in wanting to find out what other unexpected scenario were to take place in a space that everyone is so familiar with.  

2D Foundation project 3: Ego

Leave a reply

Research:

Primary Colors: Red, yellow and blue

In traditional color theory (used in paint and pigments), primary colors are the 3 pigment colors that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3 hues. 

Secondary Colors: Green, orange and purple. 

These are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green. 

These are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That’s why the hue is a two word name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.

 

Monochromes Harmony

 The colours of a monochromatic palette all share a single hue, but vary in brightness and saturation. White, black and grey are considered to be neutral.

Analogous Harmony 

Analogous colour palettes consist of different, but neighbouring hues. The constant property can be either the saturation or the brightness level or both.

Complementary hues 

Complementary colours are any two colours which are directly opposite each other, such as red and green and red -purple and yellow -green. These opposing colours create maximum contrast.

 

Split complementary 

The split -complementary colour scheme is a variation of the complementary colour scheme. In addition to the base colour, it uses the two colours adjacent to its complement.

 

Triadic colour scheme 

A triadic colour scheme uses colours that are evenly spaced around the colour wheel.

Colour Harmony

In visual experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye. It engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience. When something is not harmonious, it’s either boring or chaotic. 

In my concept, I use analogous colours to depict something that I love doing, and complementary colours to show a dislike in the setting and actions taken. 

 

Process and experimentation. 

I first began with experimenting simple 2D illustration and their interaction with objects that I have photograph. The 3D objects were photograph and then further enhance with the texture and lightning in photoshop, with the background removed. I fell in love with the contrast between the 2D illustration and 3D objects. And because the illustration had essence of white in it, it doesn’t overpower the object. 

I then started illustrating a depiction of myself in every one of my composition series. Notice that the woman figure that i illustrate has an essence of white and black in the face and limbs, and a strong black outline so that it doesn’t outshine or clash with the other colours. I pay much attention to every character’s expression so that it can convey my emotions well when placed in a different setting. ( all illustration is done in illustrator )

Next, I illustrate different symbols and shapes to determine different background settings. In each of my setting, I use photography of the objects and illustrations to show my viewers the different settings that i am trying to portrait. Different shapes and symbols in each scene represent different location. For example, the 1st image shows weird looking strokes that seems like alphabets ( this is where  i tried to depict a study environment setting) , or the blue and green brush strokes ( where it depicts a vanity setting where i glam myself up ).

Then i began playing with the different colour tones that we have learnt. I asked myself which colour combination suits the composition and story telling best. Here you can see that I played with the different Monochromes and Complementary colours. 

I then try to mix the 2D illustrations into the 3D objects. Because of the contrasting 2D and 3D effects, each combination is meant to look a little off, however, are able to relate to each other. Here, lots of back and forth editing in photoshop and Illustrator is done. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL

1st composition

Whenever I am hungry am always ready to go groceries shopping for food. However, when ever i am at the supermarket, I have to always make healthy food choices and end up not buying unhealthy snacks that I love because of health issues and that my mom will constantly nag at me for eating junk food. In this case, my setting shows a supermarket and my reaction to the setting is that I have to always purchase healthy fruits and veggies; its like a lifestyle. The colours used here consist of 2 sets of Analogous colours ( as shown in the 1st and 2nd image ) which shows that I love going getting ready to eat and shopping in the supermarket , however, I hate that I always have to end up buying only healthy food ( shown in the Complementary hues in the 3rd picture)

 

2nd composition

The second composition shows a series of analogous colours, where every one of the image shows something that I love doing. The 1st picture shows myself getting ready to workout, and the setting depict my exercising spot with all the equipments. Lastly, my reaction is a sense of satisfaction where I feel good about myself.

 

3rd composition 

The 3rd composition shows a series of complementary colours where I show my hatred for studying for test. The colour blue is determine as the main colour as it represented the night, which is the time where I would always do my work and assignments. The 1st image shows the boring and reluctant self, being place in a study area filled with books ( shown in the 2nd picture) . My reaction to all these is countless unpleasant emotions and expressions. 

 

4th composition

The last composition colour scheme is similar to the 1st composition, where the 1st picture shows the analogous colour (red orange as the main colour) to show my love for taking a shower after a long day. The 2nd picture also show analogous harmony ( blue green as the main colour) which depict that I love my vanity area at home as it is always filled with high end products that my mom bought for me , which makes me feel glam and girly. However, my reaction to putting on facial products and after I shower is always a hassle to me as I always find it troublesome and a waste of time. Especially when I am ready to head to bed or rushing out of the house. ( this is express through the complementary colours form the 1st and 2nd picture ) 

 

Reflection

At 1st, I had a hard time coming up with ideas, thinking how I could use colours and simple illustrations to depict my settings and reactions. Because I didn’t draw or take photo of an actual place or venue, I was afraid that the message that I would like to convey to my audiences would be hard for them to understand. However, after experimenting with the different colours, it gave me a head start in which I can use these selected colours to convey a stronger message to my viewers through each pictures. Using these colours that I have paired up, I am able to help my viewers understand each compositions better. 

 

3D project 4: City of voids – Individual Moodbox

Leave a reply

This is the sound analysis based on audacity from the sound that we had created.

 

Individual Moodbox

 

The Dominant

The dominant sound has a clear and elegant vibe which in this case, is represent by acrylic cubes in different shades of blue. 

The clear ringing sound of the resonating tone bars is depicted by the blue acrylic cubes scattered around the model and saturated at the bottom of it. 

The dominant sound can be heard at it loudest in its 1st beat and where it slowly fades and echoes away. This sound motion is represented by the placement the blue acrylic cubes in the model. 

 

The Subdominant

The subdominant sound feels like a subtle sharp, piercing background noise.

The raspy, scraping sound of the finger cymbals is shown through the sharp cones piercing throughout the center tube of the structure. 

It can be heard almost throughout the entire music, which is depicted through the placement of the sharp cones. However, the cones are small and tiny, suggesting that the subdominant sound is soft and subtle; almost not noticeable. 

 

The Subordinate

The subordinate sound is produced through two wood pieces, giving off a heavily dense sound that kind of depicts a temple chanting or nature.

the two blocky beats of the claves is represented by the pieces of wood and green plants that is placed into sections in the middle of the structure.

It can be hear clearly with pauses in between each beat, without the interruptions of the domination and subdominant sounds. This suggest the isolating placement of the subordinate in sections. 

4D Foundation Project 3: Impossibilities of Being

Leave a reply

The place that I have selected was my grandma’s working place. Even before I was born, she had been working as a Chinese opera actress for the past 30 years. Never once had I been there, and I was curious as to how here working environment was like, what made her stay for the past 30 years. She told me, “ It is isn’t a job, it was more like an interest, a hobby, its the friends there that made her stay.”

 

Lo-Fi storyboard

High-Fi storyboard

Scene 1: shows a scene of the main character; my grandma. | close up shot

Scene 2: grandma travelling to work by bus. | Wide angle shot; sound of bus arriving

Scene 3: alighted from the bus. ( butt leaves bus sit ) | Half body shot; sound of bus arriving to a stop

Scene 4: Arrived at workplace, ready to be sited and getting makeup done for her Chinese opera show. ( however workplace is still unknown) | Half body shot; sounds of using make up tools 

Scene 5: Putting on makeup Close up shot; sounds of using make up tools, opening and closing of make up kit.

Scene 6: Getting hair done; putting on wig. | close up half body shot

Scene 7: Wearing costume for show that is about to start. | close up half body shot

Scene 8: Preparing to enter the show. | leg shot; close up shot.

Scene 9: Show begins. | Wide angle shot, Chinese opera stage music sound

Scene 10: Performance and interaction between actors. | wide angle/ half body shot, Chinese convocation sound.

Scene 11: Cut scene to audiences. | wide angle shot, sound of audience interacting 

Scene 12: Grandma stares back at the camera, smile, as the show ended. | close up shot 

This was the initial idea for how the video was going to be shot and the sounds that comes with it. However, when I derived at the shooting venue, the environment and people there changed my perception of my initial idea. The people there ( friends of my grandma ) where a bunch of funny and loud older women. They are not your typical grandma who goes to the market everyday and lead a simple life. They love to dress up, making themselves look pretty, play card games and phones to kill time, smoke, and chit chat among themselves. I notice that they are always laughing snd joking around. And when its time to perform, they are back to a serious mood and execute a professional performance. 

With that, I decide to use “sound” to change the context of the video. 

Here are some of the sounds recorded at the filming venue. Background sound of people speaking in dialect, sound of vehicle passing by, sound of different tunes made by different instruments , sound of performers conversing and singing. Each recorded sound is similar to one another as background noises were always overlapping one another. Similarly, the sounds are often loud and piercing, which depicts the bold and expressive culture of Chinese opera. 

Onsite recorded sounds

 

Final Video

( The whole video shows a progression of how I grandma spends her time working at her work place. From the time they get ready, to the showcase of the performance ) The sounds used depicts the mood and environment of the people and place there, whether is it about having fun or just pure seriousness. 

At the start of the video, you hear the sound of the background sound of the Chinese opera before the performance started. 

Shots of people using their phones was shown. The context was changed when I placed clicking sounds ( created and recorded from my keyboard ) in conjunction to the scenes. The clicking sounds lead to the song: “wonder girls famous song – Nobody”, which suggested that the people using their phone were playing the same exact song. 

The song “Nobody” , depicts a fun and and lively song ( if you watch the music video of the song, you will notice the main singers dressing up in older fashion style, and performing a live performance. ) This modern pop song changed the context of the video as Chinese opera seems to be a very traditional place. It showcase a glamours and exciting behind the scenes of the performers preparing and getting ready for the show. 

As the song stops, it transits into fingers taping sounds as the video zoomed into the audiences. The finger tapping sounds leads to a soundless silent, which represented anticipation, as the performers are about to enter the stage. This creates tension, where people waited eagerly for the show to begin. 

As the performance began, sound intensified, loud music of Chinese opera music was heard. This depicts the professional and well brought up performance by actor and actress. 

The last scene ended off with a close up shot of my grandma looking into the camera happily in silent. Without the background sound, all there was to focus on was the expression of my grandma’s joyful face,  which is easier to relate. 

 

 

Classroom exercise Part 1 for Project 3.

Rhythm

There is irregularity in the overall movement of my video, however, there is a slight repetition in parts of the scenes. For example, when before the song “Nobody” was played, there is a constant shots of people pressing on their phone showed. When the Chinese opera song was played at the last few scenes of the video, similar shots of performers performing on stage was shown.

Movement 

Linear narrative is shown throughout my video, where causality can be easy to track. In my video, there is a direction; it shows the starting preparation before the performance began, to the execution of the performances. 

Causality

I felt that there is a clear expectation of the direction of the video as it was being played. The background music build up a sense of anticipation and tension, and the visuals shows the performers getting ready for the main performance which is able to lead the audiences’ mind into what will happen next. However, some people might feel that the expectation is unexpected as they are unaware or have no idea or context in regards to Chinese opera performance.

Duration

I felt that my final video is too short, like it needs a longer time duration to be able to showcase the behind-the scenes act and performance. Now it seems like a trailer. 

4D Foundation Project 4 – Research

Leave a reply

 

The first video is a documentation of a woman spending time alone in a context of 5 consecutive days. Each day, she challenged herself into spending time alone doing activities that are normally accompanied by others. Such activities include watching a scary movie alone, going to a erotic museum alone, and dinning alone in a cafe. All these places that are usually accompanied by friends and family now become a lonely place to her. Overwhelmed by the strangers around her, she began feeling self-conscious about being alone, with no one to talk to or to share her experiences with. However as time goes by, she began to understand herself better.  Despite being confined within time, it allowed her to pay more attention to herself. Food tasted better when she was alone; she was able to expand and widened her taste buds. She gets to know and understand herself better; where she is able to love herself more inside out. 

 

 

Video below from 3:05 onwards talks about Hsieh’s outdoor piece. 

Hsieh is an artist whose medium of expression is not words or sounds or paint, but his own life. For this second piece of work known informally as the Outdoor Piece, he plan to do a one year performance piece from September 26, 1981, to September 26, 1982, where he promise to live and stay outdoors for a year, and never go inside. He will not enter into any building, subway, train, car, airplane ship, cave, or tent. With that he will have a sleeping bag with him at all times. He live a lot the streets and doorsteps of manhattan. Here, Hsieh demonstrate how art becomes life through passing time. His work raises difficult questions about life and art and being, and about what it means to live in the world we live in. He relied on pay phones and chance meetings to keep in touch with his friends. Each day, he recorded his wanderings on a map, noting in particular the places where he ate and slept. 

This performance can be viewed as a space where he opened himself up, as fully as possible, to the outside. As time pass, the self can perish from exposure, as well as from confinement. Here, became a nomad. As time continue day by day, he tested his powers of survival in circumstances that were more than usually beyond his own control. 

Both pieces are presented through circular time where it talks about a repeating process, that creates continuous and infinite outcomes. However in the first piece, the host creates planned events and activities that triggers her emotions in the cause of time, while the artist in the second video let everything flow naturally in time; allowing whatever unpredicted situations happens at its own time. 

We can divide time up in different ways, and have different beliefs about how time affects us. We tend to think of time in terms of a three-part structure of past, present, and future, with time moving in one direction without repetition. Though events can repeat themselves, tomorrow is fundamentally different and separate from yesterday. However, I felt that these conceptualisations can also change over time. Who knows maybe in the future, there may be more than one way of looking at time.