Group 4 | Prototyping

In the previous post, we mentioned that we want to revamped our point-of-view. Hence this is our new point of view:

From our new point of view, we wanted to create a solo dining experience for NTU students to understand why some people prefer to eat alone and also reduce the judgement of eating alone.

Below are the user journey:

So we created 2 prototypes, a poster and a space for solo dining. 

 

 

 

Elizabeth created this poster, including the copywriting. This poster will be placed outside the space to give an introduction to extrovert student, before experience eating alone.

 

And the rest of us (me, Glenn, Tobi and Tuyen) created the space for solo dining. Tobi and Tuyen created the chair. I sketched out the space and worked with Glenn in creating it.

The final outcome of the space

Breakdown of our process:

Aerial sketch of the space, done by Azizah
Perspective sketch of the space, done by Azizah
Chair that was created by Tobi
Tables and divider, done by Azizah (before Glenn input the conveyor belt)

 

During our presentation session, there were a few suggestions on how can we improve the space, such as a window to allow student to look outside while eating or a open concept table in the center of the space. The class even give some existing examples of dining solo such as the ramen stall or dining in the dark and more. However what was really missing is the narrative behind our concept.  That was something that our group had to really think about.

After our presentation session, we discussed on the narrative behind our concept. And here are some narrative that we thought of:

  1. Introvert brings an extrovert friend to come into the space → to understand and empathise why some people prefer dining alone 
  2. A place where the introvert students are able meet and have a meal together in a quiet space
  3. A place of introverts to date

After much discussion, we really wanted people to understand why some people prefer eating alone and not being judged when eating solo, which really brings back to our point of view.

“Introverted NTU students need to be empathised with while eating in school to as it helps feel less self- conscious

Then we also thought of how can we make the extrovert people really empathise on introverts, by creating a small section of the space which gives a  opposite experience as compared to eating alone. 

The small section to give students the experience of a crowded canteen

In this small section, we thought of having students to wear a headphones that contain the loud noise of canteen. There will be puppets to blocked their way, to show the crowdness of the canteen. And the visuals on the side will be a situation in the canteen during peak period.

And on the other side of this small section will a quiet and peaceful space, where the introverts prefer to be.

Final outcome of the edited prototype

However, this was totally off from what from what we were expected to do. Hence, in our next post, will focus on our narrative behind our concept, refine version of our prototype and some visuals. 

Final Research Hyperessay – Meditation

Meditation (2010), by Mingha Yang

Introduction

Meditation, provides a space for contemplation and reflection amidst the chaos and noise of city life. Mingha Yang said that “If we have no power to reform our environment, we need to find the possibility of meditation using the signifiers filled the cities”. From my understanding, it means that if we can’t change the surrounding to fit our needs, we implement our needs and make it meaningful and useful for us and the society. His statement can also be linked to what we have learnt in class: The vision of art has shifted from the field of objects to the field of behaviour and its function has become less descriptive and more purposive.” Hence in this essay, I will be discussing how Meditation is a form of art and new media.

A sketch of Mediation installation

Interactivity

The installation itself is made up of three red, reactive projections that spans an entire wall, drawing audiences in with its pliable waves, which conform to patrons’ arms and bodies, accompanied by soothing sounds. In the image above, infrared cameras and sensors are embedded in the speakers to capture the viewers’ movements though high-speed, multi-channel video encounters that translate the motion into fluid, entrancing visuals. This is a form of interactivity, where the installation is responsive to the viewer’s action. The installation never response the same. It keeps changing, relying on the viewer’s movement. Hence, the information collected here is has a reciprocal exchange between the viewer and technology in the installation.

Viewers interacting with the installation

Feedback/Response

The viewers are free to choose their own movement, which create unpredictable and indeterminate response. Minha Yang has exhibited this Meditation series in different city. Some of the city are Seoul, San Francisco, New York City and many more. One of the things he observed was that there were different viewers’ reaction in different city. While he was explaining the minor changes he did to the installation, he said “The reason I made these changes is very simple. At the New York event, I saw everyone flapping their arms in front of their own speaker. As compare to the people at Seoul, who were a bit shy to interact with the installation.” With the viewers’ response, it acts as a form of communication between the viewer and the installation. The viewers’ movements are observed by the infrared camera and sensors, then it transfer those movement, also known as information, to the visual of the installation. This creates a responsive installation where viewers and installation are communicating with each other.

 

Abstract Art

Other than providing a space for contemplation and reflection amidst the chaos and noise of city life, Meditation has a deeper meaning into it. In most of Minha Yang’s work, his intention was to question whether a fabricated religion could actually be recognized as a religion. Normally through meditation, it allows us to increase our spiritual level. Hence in Minha Yang’s Meditation, he wanted to offer the viewers a possibility for an alternative spirituality through the use of technology. However, this intended message was never correctly interpreted by viewers. Hence this is similar to abstract art, where audiences have different interpretations and view towards it. Most of the viewers understand that Meditation installation is for them to interact, but they could not link the installation to religion aspect.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Meditation can be seen as a form of art and new media. It encompasses interactivity, a form of communication and spiritual, and abstract art. Meditation also serve to be a purposeful form of new media art. It brings meaning to the society by taking a break from chaos and noise of city life. Although Meditation has often being misinterpreted by the viewers, this does not stop Minha Yang from creating more work regarding fabricated religion. However, what if Minha Yang can create a fabricate religion through art and technology or also known as new media art? How would the viewer’s perception change towards religion?  And through new media art, can it increase a person’s spirituality?

 

References 

Constructing A Space For Meditation At Our Creators Project NY Event

Minha Yang Imagines A New Religion In Meditation

Meditation Series | Yang, Minha

Minha Yang – Spacifix

New media and the reshaping of religious practice

Group 4 | Ideation Part 2

Over the recess week, our group went to research more in depth about introverts and extroverts.

Here are some of our thoughts:

Azizah: Introverts are not anti-social, they just preferred to be alone or in a small group. Meanwhile for extroverts, they get recharge by socializing and having friends with them. However, introverts still need friends at some point of time. And extroverts need some time for them to think and reflect upon themselves. Hence, it is not about having a space for introverts and extroverts separately. It is about having the time alone and a time to socialise.

Elizabeth: I found out that introverts do enjoy spending time with people and they still want communication. Instead of having separate areas labelled for introverts and extroverts, it seems helpful to just label them as spending time alone or with people. The lighting system would help introverts keep their groups small and meaningful still. Based on the research conducted, I realized that people sometimes dont want to have social interaction but just a time to get their food and leave. Having areas for solo dining would contribute towards that.

Tobi: Usually, people are neither 100% introverted nor 100% extroverted. Moreover, they can be allocated a place on the normal distribution (bell curve) that runs from total introversion on one side to total extroversion on the other side. On this scale, most of the people can be found in the middle, making them “ambiverts” (=average). Every character is different, self-reflection is important in order to find happiness: Try to find out more about yourself, the locations you thrive in and the people that “nourish” you. Then, adjust your life to those insights. Everybody is different. For everyone, there are specific places and environments that make them thrive. And for everyone, there are people that have an either toxic or nourishing effect on them.

We started our presentation with our motivation, which was quoted by some of our interviews and surveys.

Some of our classmates liked the The First Supper idea, where we are able to combine tables to create whatever shape we want. However, our proposed idea of having a space for people to socialise our meal and having a private cubicle, needs to have more in-depth thinking to it. Some of the suggested idea are having an introvert week, a tag on the shirt that says “I don’t feel like socialising.” Hence, our group decided to revamp our point of view on the next post!

Hyperessay: Artist & Artwork Selection

Artist: Minha Yang

A Korean Generative Media Designer and new media artist. He studied visual communication in Seoul University. Then became an Associate Professor there who teaches Interactive Graphics and Motion Graphics design. He won numerous awards for his work throughout his current career including four Asia Digital Art Awards.

Work: Meditation (2010)

Minha Yang’s Meditation is made up of three red, reactive projections. It spans an entire wall, drawing audiences in with its pliable waves. Audience are able to interact with the projections by moving the hands. This projections is accompanied by soothing sounds, which relates back to the mediation idea. Infrared cameras and sensors are embedded in the speakers, capturing the the viewers’ movements, which then translate the motion into fluid, entrancing visuals. The installation comes to life through three rushes of ripples projected up close in front of your face, and the installation never responds the same—it relies on and changes for each person.

 

References:

New media artist Minha Yang joins the ArtJaws collection

Minha Yang Imagines A New Religion In Meditation