NO ROOM TO ENTER, KATHRYN KING, esplanade

The artist had hanging pieces of plastic with strong warm light shining through them. When I first saw the hanging artwork from afar, I had a very very strong urge to want to walk through them and see what the beauty and the grand aura of what mere light behind plastic can create. When we reached the destination, I felt disappointed that in fact we were not allowed to do so. I did not understand why the artist had chosen to do that. I felt that the artist might want to say something about “space” and how it affects us because it had definitely had that impact on me upon seeing it. By choosing to hang shining plastics, the artist had managed to successfully control my emotions and desires.

What I have read in the text had definitely made a strong link to my initial impressions. However, just by looking at the work, I did not get that second part of her work where she says that buildings and spaces are forever undergoing changes according to “institutional choices” and “the bodies that move through them”. I thought that maybe to show this constant changes the lights could shift in brightness and even flash or go into total darkness in some instances. This change in light could correspond to the movement when people walk past or around the artwork with motion sensors. Hence, linking the idea of space undergoing constant change according to the bodies that move through them.

TRANSIT, RIFQI AMIRUL, waterloo

This artwork had hanging metallic foil curtains that constantly were flying around because of the wind. When I first saw the artwork, the sounds of the metallic foil made an extremely calming sound that made me felt instantly relaxed and happy. I wanted to touch and walk through them. The silver foil that glistened in the wind and strong afternoon light was a match to its wonderful sound. I wondered if there was a reason as to why the last foil was black. I felt that maybe the artist was trying to say that activities that are held at the void deck constantly change the mood and the atmosphere of the space because I was wondering what if it wasn’t a windy day? what if it was night time? I would definitely have a different experience with the artwork. The artist’s choice of media allowed me to experience constantly changing artwork and was not as direct in its message. Although I thought the artwork looked visually appealing, I had to think a little further to what it was trying to say.

I guess I had gotten the first part of the concept where the artist was trying to say that the void decks are multi purpose yet are overlooked when not in use. However, I felt that it did not heighten my sensitivity to the architecture of the void deck. I feel that the artist could have instead hung the metal foil against the walls of the void deck; where the wall corners and stops. I feel that he should not do this to the entire space but significant and odd spaces where we often neglect. He could still allow the metal foil to move according to the wind movements. In this way, he is highlighting to the viewer the architecture of the void deck, making the space look and feel different to what once was a common sight that we overlook.