The Visit

After visiting the library, my initial impression of the place has not changed. Maybe because I always visit the library frequently and is quite familiar with the place. During my visit, I tried to find things that I don’t usually notice..

i realised that people including myself don’t really sit here or hang around this area… I’m not sure why, maybe because it’s too near the entrance or it’s too brightly lit? or it’s not that comfortable..

I realised this place where it had a sign saying caution low head room. I felt that it was kind of an awkward space because it was not big enough for people and its a space left empty.

I also noticed that maybe because of the colour of the room people find the darker space more cosy than the brighter spaces..

Another thing that struck me were these vents above me that people don’t really notice. It kind of reminded me of a monster’s legs/tentacles? Observing the pattern and movements of the vents left me with my imagination.

Other notable things in the library:

• people who usually come here keep to themselves
• very little human interaction
• people don’t really look at each other
• surround the place are the roads and the bushes
• vibrations of busses can be felt or heard when you sit at the bean bag area
• sometimes foreign construction workers walk pass by the glass window, and it feels awkward or weird when they get close and walk pass you, although there is obviously a glass window

What people say:

Things I want to pursue:

• Human Interaction
• Personal Space
• Human Response to Objects

Ideas:

1. “My Life Depends On You” – human interaction

• Proposed Location: – study area –
• Synopsis: Could a life be fully dependant on a group of strangers? Could a group of strangers co-work together to take care – feed, water, clean – a snail? This work comments on human interaction that can take place in a library where often, interaction do not occur. People often keep to themselves, not looking at other people. By putting them in a situation that tests their morality, could a group of strangers work together to create a conducive environment for a snail?
• Description: This installation involves a set up of an empty container with a  snail in it with only air and little food for it. The container is placed on a table in the middle of the study area. Above it shows a sign saying “My life depends on you”. Below lay materials needed like soil, water, food etc. The work invites the users to assemble a more suited environment for the snail and to sustain in the upcoming days.
• Sketch: 

2. “Heads” – personal space

• Proposed Location: – study area, bean bag area, computer area, bookshelves –
• Synopsis: The library is a place where each individual is very much cocooned in his/her personal space. Nobody looks at each other and everyone is at peace. Often when being looked at or a presence is felt, this peace is disturbed, making people feel uncomfortable. This work interferes/interrupts the personal space of the people using its space, prompting them to react to the heads.
• Description: This work consists of mannequin heads on different parts of the library usually where people sit to their work. Some maybe small hidden in the plug areas, some maybe normal sized staring at people as they do their work. (Not sure to paint them normally or leave them looking unnatural)
• Sketch:

3. “Wrapped” – human/object response

• Proposed Location: – study area, bean bag area, computer area, staircase –
• Synopsis: Through interviews people judge the library through comfort level, especially chairs. This work wraps objects in materials that changes the meaning, and eventually feelings associated with the object. It would be interesting to see the reactions and response to the objects wrapped.
• Description: Objects would be wrapped in different materials for e.g. chair would be wrapped in either aluminium, cling wrap, egg cartons, faux fur etc. Objects chosen would be things that are often used like the mouse, chairs, bean bags, tables. stairs etc
• Sketch: