Special Thanks to Whitney & Gwen for helping me out during the whole process.
The project is an interactive instructional installation that experiments with experienced time (relativity of time) and implied causality. This concept involves time, space and sound. As this is the final project for Foundation 4D, I wanted to create an escapism by making an installation that will bring the audience into another dimension, hence, forgetting about the present time for a moment.
I want them to be able to feel that they’re entering another dimension by the shift of location and setting of the mood by relaxing as they observe the interior of the room and forget about the present moment of being stressed due to submissions. (outside – brightly lit vs. inside – dimly lit with disco led lights).
After the experience, I want them to be able to understand and experience the point I’m putting across which is playing with relativity of time by bringing them out of the present time or putting a pause on their normal everyday school life.
In terms, of experienced time according to the soft tempo/fast tempo soundscape, I want to open a discussion and discuss with everyone on how the time they’ve experienced during the installation is different and what influenced it to be that way. It will be interesting to listen to their views because it varies from each individual and time is subjective as everyone has their own definition of time.
CHALLENGES
Being able to be engaging and capture the audience’s attention. (I need to be prepared, practise my role and have a lot of confidence.)
Setting the mood so I can bring them into another dimension.
The outcome and reaction of the audience is unpredictable so I have to practise on different people and make sure I can manipulate certain aspects in order for them to have a certain reaction that I’ve have in mind and put the point across to them about relativity of time and making them anticipate something.
PREPARATION ON THE ACTUAL DAY
Preparation before the installation:
Before my installation, asked the class to download the soundscape. Split them into two groups for different experience; Slow & Fast Tempo with the same duration.
Soundscape 1: Slow tempo (Music: Nature Background Music)
Soundscape 2: Fast tempo (Music: Bangarang by Skrillex)
Location: 4D Foundation Room
Layout of setting up the paper & plastic for audience to interact –
Me and Whitney as the actors –
Roles
Me: Host that will be engaging the audience.
Whitney: Assistant that will scan and beep at the audience at the entrance & film.
FINAL VIDEO OF INSTALLATION DAY
Outcome of course mates’ artwork listening to the soundscape
Discussion Video
Feedback
Serena (Slow tempo soundscape) – The duration of the music is too short & I’ve should make it longer because she was only able to get into the mood in 30 seconds.
They were able to feel that they’re entering into another dimensions because of the act in the beginning, Whitney beeping them as they entered the room and the disco LED light created the mood and setting of another realm.
Experienced time felt by each individual varies because of the preference in music so even if it’s a fast tempo and EDM genre, many might think time will pass fast but it might be slow for them due to the dislike in their taste of music.
There should be more assistants to increase the audience’s expectations and bringing them into another dimension.
Some of the participants felt it was unfair because they were only given the slow tempo soundscape and wanted to experience both.
Participants with the fast tempo soundscape tend to draw their lines in a jagged and fast strokes while the participants with the slow tempo soundscape tend to draw their lines in a smooth, curvy/swirly strokes which is interesting. Some participants were just unique AHAHAHA.
Personal reflection
After the execution of the installation, personally, I felt that I managed to incorporate the aspect of time, space and sound during the process. Despite the time constraint, I was satisfied with the outcome and open discussion that I’ve had with my course mates.
In terms of improvement, I should’ve combined the two audio together and see how they felt about the experienced time when they’re listening to both of the soundscape and see how it influenced their drawing and time felt. (Increasing the duration of the soundscape)
In terms of the setting and mood of the location, I felt that I managed to pull through with my concept and participants were curious about the setting and mood when I brought them into the room. I managed to create a sense of anticipation in them and it’s all thanks to the principles I’ve learnt during the lecture such as the different dimensions of time and rhythm, movement, causality and duration.
Conclusion
I’m really thankful to be able to experience Foundation 4D and stepping out of my comfort zone by trying out new concepts that I’ve in mind whilst incorporating the principles I’ve learnt. To me, I think the conceptualization and development process of the project really impacted me because work reviews with Serena taught me that there’s different way to make a concept come to life. Sometimes, being too ambitious and making things intricate doesn’t create a good outcome. Minimalistic and simple concepts can have a greater impact on the audience too and I learnt how to balance what is required as an artist and what I want the audience to experience. Thanks Serena for everything!
For this project, I knew I wanted to create an experience involving experienced time and implied causality which focuses on contrast in two different worlds/perspective (playing with space).
Since it’s my last project for Foundation 4D, I wanted to do something that is within my strengths which is using contrast. Making the installation engaging for the audience to interact, experience or learn something new.
RESEARCH – ARTIST REFERENCE (WEEK 11)
In Week 11, we had to research about the use of time in film, video, sound, performance art or interactive art installation. This exercise helped me figure out on which main concept I want to focus on which is bringing my audience into another dimension and removing them from the present time (relativity of time). I came up with an idea which is “The Blind Stimulation” for the audience to experience to see whether their time is being slowed down because they’re unfamiliar with how to do things as their sense of sight is being taken away. Hence, they have to do a certain task and complete it within a duration of time.
However, my idea changed after I’ve went through the work review and I came up with “Into Another Dimension” which will be further explained later. I’m still inspired by these artworks as it brings the audience into another dimension and helped me with the planning of the process of incorporating implied causality and setting the mood to bring out the reaction from the audience participating in it.
Shane Dawson – “Switching Lives with a Blind Person”
John Cage – “4’33”
Andrew Myers – “Tactile Art”
Shane Dawson – “Switching Lives With A Blind Person” (Interactive Social Experiment)
(Removing one of their senses; sense of sight in this case and doing normal, everyday task to see whether it affects the time they felt.)
John Cage – “4’33” (Experimental & Interactive Performance Art)
(This interactive performance art is about creating a quiet passage which creates and highlight tension as well as, letting the audience be a part of the artwork by listening to the sound made by them in the theatre.)
Andrew Myers – “Tactile Art” (Interactive Art Installation)
(Inclusivity of people with disabilities to experience and appreciate art through touching and using their imagination. Bringing them into another world despite not being able to see)
TIME
Personally, time for me is anxiousness and anxiety to me.
During my busy period, I’m always worrying about my deadlines and submission for school and work. Even when I’m free, I’m always trying to make sure that I use my free time to do something wholesome so I can improve my skill set and grow as an individual. Basically, I’m always worrying and stressing out about planning my schedule well.
Hence, inspiring me to create an installation that is an escapism from reality for a moment. Being able to forget about the present time and relax for a moment then, come back to reality. In addition, I wanted to know how time is felt differently to each of them, how it affects them, their views and feelings on it when being placed in a certain environment with a few regulations or procedures to follow.
IDEATION
Initial stages of conceptualizing:
Ideation:
Blind Stimulation
Tinder vs. Real Life (Playing with Space & Time: Virtual world vs. Reality)
Panorama (Record different people’s routine at a certain time of the day for 5 mins and create a collage, playing the videos all at the same time. Installation: Record 4D class at that same timing and put it as the last panel of the video collage)
VR Stimulation (Different dimension and playing with edited time)
Stay in a box/dark place with no time & light (Try to guess the timing or add distractions
In the initial stages of conceptualization, I was so stuck on my idea of “The Blind Stimulation” but I had a lots of options of documenting the process of coming up with the final installation. However, after consulting Serena, it lacked the aspect of ‘Time’. I was so stressed out and I couldn’t think of a way to make sure time was one of the strongest aspect and experience because I was focusing too much on the message I’m intending to rely to the audience after experiencing it.
Hence, I made a good choice to scrap it despite knowing I will experience time constraint because I want to be able to deliver the requirements which is experienced time.
Next consultation with Serena on Week 12
Initial Proposal (Not the final proposal): Click to view pdf file
The concept was focusing on experienced time that requires the participant to express the time they felt using their body and emotions (props will be given), responding to the visuals or soundscape given to them.
My ideas were:
charades game allow the participants to see the visuals and listen to the soundscape and express the time they felt using their body
recording their actions, editing and remixing their movement and sound as the final outcome of the installation which will be shown on the screen. (too ambitious)
Feedback: The concept is workable but I shouldn’t be too ambitious and do something simple that expresses time strongly. – Serena
After the consultation, once again, I decided to scrap all the ideas and focus on the concept which is workable during the lesson.
“EXPERIENCED TIME THAT REQUIRES THE PARTICIPANT TO EXPRESS THE TIME THEY FELT USING THEIR BODY AND EMOTIONS”
Finally, I came up with an idea which is finally approved and expressed experience time.
APPROVED IDEA
The idea is having 4 people listening to two soundscape which includes a slow tempo and a fast tempo music which has the same duration. They have to express the time they felt using their body and emotions by painting in one single continuous line according to the tempo. The participants will be wearing the earpiece and half way through the soundscape, the observers get to hear the soundscape and know the reason why they’re painting in that manner.
Consultation with Serena & Lei on the same day
The idea and concept is there however, the element of experienced time is not strong in the way I’m going to engage the audience.
What was missing?:
Strong aspect of experienced time (relativity of time –> how I’m gonna bring them out of the present time)
Lei’s feedback was really helpful to make my installation to express experienced time well.
Remember the ‘before’ & ‘after’ experience of bringing them into the installation
Set the mood & their expectation by engaging them to bring them out of the present time (E.g. Remove your shoes and guide them to the wall in a calming voice –> set their expectations)
How I’m going to host and carry out the whole installation?
These feedbacks really helped me a lot to solidify and start planning the process of my final installation. For that, I’m so thankful because I’m able to incorporate my quirky side of hosting the installation, engaging and bringing them into another dimension in terms of relativity of time (:
REFINED FINAL IDEA
Idea: Interactive Instructional Installation – “Into Another Dimension”
Approved Idea
After consulting Serena & Lei
Rundown of final installation before refinements:
Focusing on “Experienced time” –> Relativity of time (Bringing them out of the present time which is stressful due to our submission week)
Environment: Stressful to Peaceful/Calming when they enter the room of magic
I’ll be acting as another person and engage them to enter the room of magic.
Including the whole class to experience the installation and splitting them into two groups (slow tempo and fast tempo with the same duration).
Telling them the instructions and giving out the paintbrush for them to paint when they enter.
Set the mood and ask them to face the wall, play the soundscape, close their eyes and paint. (Switch off all the lights)
Express their body and emotions according to the tempo and the time they’re feeling.
Disrupt their moment by adding a reminder about their submission at the end of the soundscape.
There will be an instruction to turn around and open their eyes.
Lights will be switched on and I’ll scream “Back to Reality”. (Bringing them back to the present time)
Discuss about the time they felt as half of them will be experiencing the slow tempo soundscape and the other half is experiencing time listening to the fast tempo soundscape. Listen to their views and opinions about the whole installation.
Jackson Pollock is an abstract expressionist artist who is skilled at drip style painting. I’m really attracted to his art style and this artpiece, Convergence, which is a manifestation of freedom of speech and expression. I’m inspired by his abstract style of expressing himself using colours and evoking deep emotions through his artwork. Hence, I want to incorporate painting and expressing one’s body and emotion whilst listening to a soundscape. I want the audience of my installation to be able to see their artworks and what how the soundscape influenced their expression and painting after the whole experience.
DOCUMENTATION & DEVELOPMENT
After trying out painting by myself whilst listening to a song, I realised it will be too messy if I want the whole class to paint. Hence, I changed it to colourful markers so I can reduce the paint dripping and the aftermath of the mess after painting during the installation.
TEST RUN 1: Participant – Umar (My younger brother)
Date: 7 November 2018
Objective of this test run: To check whether the tempo of the music varies and affects the time of the participants. (Selection of songs)
Test Run 1: Listened to the fast and slow tempo while drawing on a paper to see how it affects his time and how he expresses his body and emotion by listening to the two soundscape.
Outcome of test run:
SLOW TEMPO – RELAXING BG MUSIC
FAST TEMPO – BANGARANG BY SKRILLEX
Feedback:
Points to note:
The surrounding can distract the participant from focusing on the soundscape and expressing their body and emotions.
Improvements to be made:
Make sure that the participant will close their eyes and minimise the amount of distraction by facing a wall.
Creating of Soundscape for Slow & Fast Tempo
Objective: Creating two different soundscape (slow & fast tempo) for the participant to focus and express their body and emotions according to the tempo. It helps with bringing them into another dimension and relaxing without any thoughts. The soundscape involves soft/fast tempo music and interruption at the end to bring participants back to reality.
Motive: Split the class into two to see if the tempo of the soundscape with the same duration affects their experienced time.
Soundscape 1: Slow tempo (Music: Nature Background Music)
Soundscape 2: Fast tempo (Music: Bangarang by Skrillex)
00:00 – 00:30 – Soft/Fast Tempo Music
00:30 – 00:39 – Interruption: A reminder about their submission – BRINGING THEM BACK TO REALITY (Special thanks to Gwen for recording this part for me <3)
00:39 – 00:41 – Instructions: To turn around and open their eyes
TEST RUN 2: Participant – Bella
Date: 9 November 2018
Objective of this test run: Trying out the whole setup including all the materials and persona that I’m going to play to bring the participant into another dimension. To see whether the instructions are easy to follow and I’m able to bring out the implied causality that I’ve intended.
Material used:
Setup of Test Run 2: Paper and plastic protecting the wall
Test Run 2: Personally, I called participant to meet me in the 4D room without any prior knowledge so it will catch her off-guard. Hence, allowing her to experience the whole interactive installation and getting her genuine opinion about her experience. (Participant listened to the slow tempo soundscape)
02:23 – Participant’s reaction when she’s being brought back to reality, having to do assignments and a reminder of our submissions. Switched on the lights so the participant will snap back to reality.
Feedback:
Points to note:
Make them feel and see when they’re entering into another dimensions. (For audience’s experience)
Participant felt shocked when I approached her outside the room.
Felt peaceful when she entered the room and listening to the soundscape.
Soft tempo soundscape influenced her to draw in smooth and soft strokes.
Got pissed and angry because she’s being brought back to reality because she got reminded of school.
Improvements to be made:
Hand out the marker and load the music outside.
Tell the instructions to play the soundscape, close their eyes and draw inside the room instead of outside so the participants won’t forget. Keep the instructions simple.
To make them feel like they’re entering into a new dimension when they enter the door, let them see the led disco light when they enter and close their eyes when they’re listening to the soundscape. (as shown on the video below)
Environment of the setup:
Reflections:
Personally, I was got my intended causality and reaction. I was really satisfied with the outcome and through this test run, I made a lot of changes in order to make the installation process go smooth and easy to follow and understand for the audience. Not forgetting, letting them experience the relativity of bringing them out of the present time.
FINAL TEST RUN : Participant – Whitney
Date: 11 November 2018
Objective of this final test run: To see whether the installation process is smooth and whether I memorised my role.
Final Test Run – Whitney
Outcome of final test run:
WHITNEY’S ARTWORK
Feedback –
Points to note:
Use mahjong paper instead because not enough space for everyone to draw on.
Improvements to be made:
Decided to include everyone in the class to participate (use the whole left side and back area of the wall)
Changed the place of the LED Disco ball so it covers more of the room to set the mood. (From the middle of the class to the front area near the door facing the walls – Light effect more magnificent)
Make Whitney my assistant to record the whole installation, scan and make beeping sound when they enter the room of magic (another dimension). Add onto the audience experience of the installation.
RUNDOWN OF INSTALLATION PROCESS
How it will go down on the final day of installation:
Revisiting Project 3 Impossibilities of Being – “Safe Haven” which is about a mental patient with depression and suicidal thoughts who thinks that the mental hospital she’s in is a safe haven. In addition, the two different perspectives of reality between the protagonist and the protagonist’s family member.
We have to review our Project 3’s visuals and soundscape and re-evaluate it in terms of:
Rhythm
– Regularised repeating of movement or sound. (Visual or sound)
-Occur when repetition is present.
-Rhythm establishes a sense of mood and timing.
-Irregularity creates anticipation leave audience confused, scared or amused.
Movement
-A shift or variation in the location of an object, light or sound.
-Effective way to direct focus
-Successional movement – leads the eye in one direction (one after another)
-Oppositional movement – leads the eye in a difference with a clash of forces.
-Stillness or absence of movement allows contrast within the work. (Perceived absence of movement)
-Movement much like sound, has distinct parts:
Attack (Onset, growth, birth)
Sustain (Steady-state, duration, life)
Decay (Fall-off, termination, death)
Causality
-The principle that everything has a cause and effect.
-Causality implies expectations, and artist can use this sense of anticipation or suspense to establish any number of situation with expected or unexpected outcomes.
Duration
-The overall length of time (a work or a portion of a work lasts).
-Too long or too short, it loses its power to affect the participant.
Identifying these principles in Project 3 – ‘Safe Haven’:
Rhythm
Both regularity and irregularity of rhythm were present in my video. The overall emotional graph for the soundscape begins with a non-diegetic happy background music which is disrupted into a thrill, suspenseful and psychotic feeling.
00:15 – 00:20 – A rhythmic ticking sound which shows the inner mind state of the protagonist’s anxiety which reinforced her feelings of fear and anxiousness.
00:20 – 00:24 – The repetition of stomping of the feet gets amplified and louder as the doctor approaches nearer to the protagonist.
00:38 – 00:43 – The rhythmic and repeated sound of the beeping and water dripping creates a calm ambience.
In addition, there’s irregularity in the soundscape where the rhythmic sounds are disrupted by loud camera shutters for transitioning scenes and it creates feelings of anticipation or suspense because they know something scary or frightening will happen next. The irregularity of visuals of the protagonist’s psychotic behaviour and smooth flow of soundscape disrupted by camera shutter creates an oppressive and confined environment that the protagonist is in.
Movement
For visual movement, the view of doctor’s footsteps approaching the protagonist in the alleyway becomes bigger and the stomping sound of the feet is amplified which uses successional movement to have direct focus on the feet to show the audience that the protagonist is fearful of the doctor.
In addition, there’s a smooth transition and panning of the camera of the family member holding the protagonist’s mental hospital invoices so that the audience have time to process the hints given in the short film of where the protagonist is and why she’s being confined and treated like a patient.
For sound movement, there’s a transition of smooth and relaxing non-diegetic sound of the dream-like safe haven that the protagonist have in mind in the beginning to disruptive and quick transitions of diegetic sound brings us back to reality. Distinct parts such as ‘Attack’ , ‘Sustain’ and ‘ Decay’ is present in my short film.
In terms of ‘Sustain’, there’s a calm and relaxing perspective of the protagonist’s view on the location she’s in because that’s the reality she accepted readily – using a happy non-diegetic music track.
In terms of ‘Attack’, the faded, dream-like perspective is soon disrupted with quick non-diegetic sound which reinforces the movement of the clear visuals. However, I felt like I should increase the opacity of the faded effect in the beginning so the transition of a dream-like perspective to reality is more prominent. Hence, this section of the soundscape and visuals bring a new revelation that the protagonist is in a mental hospital for the audience.
In terms of ‘ Decay’, the ending where the protagonist whacks the camera and it turns black as the beeping sound went dead shows that in reality, the protagonist is already dead inside and she’s in own made up world, being confined and trapped in a hell zone in the eyes of her family member.
Causality
For this video, I’m trying to portray the different perspective of being in a mental hospital to the protagonist and her family member. I managed to make the audience realised it’s a mental hospital instead of a dream-like safe haven which is perceived by the protagonist. By adding unexpected elements and twist of events of a unknown white figure with blue gloves taking her away and strapping her onto the bed to create suspense of what’s going to happen next and the location she’s in, revealing her depression through drawings and slits from her suicide attempts to the audience to give hints that she’s in a mental hospital. In addition, using linear narrative, I revealed the protagonist’s family member holding the mental hospital invoices so the audience can piece all the hints together. Some of the audience told me that they felt like the protagonist is playing all the character in the short film which showcase her being mentally unstable about her whole acceptance of reality. Hence, giving off a psychotic feeling which I’m trying to achieve.
In terms of causality and sound, after the protagonist fell and the happy music background is disrupted by a loud thud, the faded dream-like effect of the video disappears and it becomes really clear to show reality. Also, using ticking sound to show the protagonist’s inner mind state of being anxious and creating anticipation and curiousity for the audience about what’s gonna happen next.
In addition, at the end of the video when the protagonist is showing her unusual behaviours which caused her to be in a mental hospital. There’s an irregularity and quick transitions of sound and visuals which leads to the protagonists staring intensely at the camera and whacking it away to engage with the audience, leaving them feeling confused and shocked at her violent and weird behaviour.
Duration
The overall duration of the video is one minute. I felt like I needed an extra 10 seconds to build up the story and interest for certain scenes like the drawings which represented the protagonist’s depression and suicidal thoughts so the audience can fully understand the reason why she’s in a mental hospital (story). The audience felt that the scene was too fast and I should have slowed down a bit and showed all the drawings so, it will evoke a sense of emotion about the well-being of the protagonist.
Overall, I managed to showcase the thrill and suspense during the encounter of the protagonist and the doctor and at the end of the video to show the psychotic side of the protagonist – using quick transitions by using camera shutter sound for the different visuals of her unusual behaviour.
Imagine things you would not want to watch/hear/taste/feel/smell (experience) for 10 seconds, and things you would want to last longer than 10 seconds but don’t.
Events that I don’t want to experience more than 10 seconds:
Shitting
Holding in my pee
Sneezing
Being screamed at
Being irritated/made fun of by a friend
Burping
Farting
Screeching sound of the nail against the table or wall
Choking on my own saliva
Forgetting my words during a presentation
Events that I would want to last longer than 10 seconds but don’t:
Scratching the itchy part of my body but it starts to hurt after a while
Eating my favourite dish (Once swallowed, it’s gone)
Braiding hair
Cartwheeling
Getting full attention from a kitty cat
Being able to shit after being constipated for 3 days
The thrill when the rollercoaster drops from the highest point
Applause after dancing or presenting
The excitement of meeting my loved one after so long (I’m like so over it after 10 secs because I have to entertain their bullshit which I still love to do)
When the bass drops in the club
What would engage you for 10 seconds?
SCRATCHING MY UNDERARMS
I like how there’s a change in sensation from having an orgasm-like feeling by scratching the itchy part of my underarms and it starts to hurt after a while despite doing the same action. Hence, it reminds me of quote, “Having too much of anything is bad.” Everything should be in moderation ahahahaha (:
For this project, I’ve decided to discuss three different works:
Shane Dawson – “Switching Lives With A Blind Person” (Interactive Social Experiment)
John Cage – “4’33” (Experimental & Interactive Performance Art)
Andrew Myers – “Tactile Art” (Interactive Art Installation)
My aim for this project is to create an interactive art installation that helps people or raise awareness regarding time and space instead of being a disturbance.
Artist Reference 1: “Shane Dawson – Switching Lives With A Blind Person”
Shane Dawson is a content creator on Youtube who is known for creating videos related to raising social awareness and conspiracies about the world in a humorous yet touching approach. He was inspired to create this video due to his curiosity about how a blind person carry on with their daily activities despite lacking their sense of sight which is essential and having a family history with cataract which worries him about his future.
0:00 – 4:53 : Molly, the blind person in this video explaining the various type of diseases that someone with sight impairment can be diagnosed with, will be assisting the normal guys go through the blind stimulation experience.
7:16 – onwards : Shane Dawson and his crew experiencing the lifestyle of the blind doing daily activities such crossing a road and buying stuff using a blind stimulation.
Subject: Experiencing the life of a blind person.
Form: The medium of this work is expressed in a video which uses edited time. The visuals of the interaction of the guys with normal sight and Molly are compressed and arranged in a way that will evoke emotions that will make you empathises with the blind and understand the lifestyle of a blind person.
Context: (Interactive Social Experiment)
Objective of this video is to remove their sense of sight and using the sound and their other senses to navigate around the space around them. Due to their unfamiliarity of losing their sight, it affected their navigation and movement in their surrounding space as they’re lost and affected their time as everything they do is slower since they’re not used to it. Hence, creating a challenge for the normal guys with the sight to overcome this blind stimulation experience.
Content:
It’s interesting how a blind person is assisting the guys with normal sight to go through this experience who are panicking and having anxiety attack as they entered the new realm of the blind’s world. For Molly, due to the routine (measured time) of using rhythmic movement of swinging the cane from left to right to assist with movement and coordination to move forward, she is used to navigating without her sense of sight. In addition, timing and sound is essential. As time pass, the blind learn how to manage their illness and it becomes a routine and cycle of working things out using sound and space to carry on with their lives. The normal guys going through blind stimulation experience headache and have a fear of moving because they have no sense of depth perception. Overall, their other senses such as their hearing heightened and their dependency on sound increases during this experience.
Incorporation of this artwork into my installation:
Reaction of going through blind stimulation
Navigating through space and rhythmic timing of sounds in our surroundings
Artist Reference 2: “John Cage – 4’33”
John Cage is a musical instructor who created a famous music composition which consists of entirely silence.
Subject: An anarchy of silence which is unconventional in a musical theatre.
Form: Musical compositional art piece which consists of nothing but silence but focuses on the surrounding sound in the musical theatre. The silence of the choir and band and the sound/noise created by the audience is part of the interactive art. Hence, the audience is a medium of this interactive art piece too.
The objective of the interactive performance art is the reaction of the audience in the theatre and the simplicity of the concept that which allows the audience to stop hearing and starting listening to the muted sounds in our surrounding.
Content: The simplicity of the concept creates an anarchy of silence because of an unpredictable outcome which allows the audience to listen to the sounds around them and appreciate it. It’s another form of musical sound and every single time this musical composition is played, there’s always a different outcome of the sounds created by the audience and that’s the beauty of this piece. It’s experienced time as this art piece evokes different emotions such as boredom, restlessness (me), agitation. The perception of time differs for each audience in the theatre due to different expectations of a musical theatre experience. Personally, the 4’33 musical composition felt really long to me and I became really restless but I got the point of this art piece. I became more aware of the sounds created by the people around me and that itself is an interactive experience of a life art piece.
Incorporation of this artwork into my installation:
Reaction and thoughts of the participants due to their expectations regarding a certain topic
Perception of time (Experienced time) of doing something that you’re forced to do or in an awkward situation
Artist Reference 3: “Andrew Myers – Tactile Art”
Because My Balloons is Made Up of Screws
Fading Thoughts
Close up: Fading Thoughts
Andrew Myers is a tactile artist that uses nails to create a sense of perception of depth. Using screws of different heights, the artist creates topographic-like portraits by inserting the screws into wooden boards, making images with the meticulous gaps and grooves.
expressed movement and action – Fading Thoughts
Subject: “Please Touch the Art”
Form: An oil painting that uses nails to create a sense of perception of depth of the contours of the portraits’ face.
Context: (Interactive Art Installation)
Interactivity and inclusivity of people who are blind or those with low vision to appreciate art despite their disabilities. The art are meant to be felt to fully experienced and it focuses on making the experience more engaging (good experienced time).
Content:
For the Fading Thoughts artwork, it is inspired by a documentary made by film maker Benjamin Pitts. Through the different heights of the screws on the artwork, it expressed movement and action of the fan blowing the parts of the man away which can be felt by our hands. Usually, in art galleries, as viewers we are not allowed to touch the artwork hence, people with disabilities could not fully enjoy the beauty of it. Hence, by creating art pieces that allows people to feel it, allows everyone to have a good viewer experience of the art.
Incorporation of this artwork into my installation:
Remove perception of depth through sight for the participants and allow them to experience it through their other senses.
Experience and using all their senses to appreciate art.
Compare & Contrast:
Despite the three works are different in mediums/forms, it focuses on experience, reaction and sound relating to time and space.
Differences in usage of time in each artwork:
Shane Dawson – “Switching Lives With A Blind Person”:
Measured time – (Lifestyle of a blind person; the routines they do to navigate their way, communication and rhythmic movement of the cane to assist movement in life)
Edited time – (to evoke emotions from the audience by rearranging impactful scenes together.)
John Cage -“4’33”:
Experienced time – (Perception of time differs for everyone due to their expectations of the event they’re attending)
Andrew Myers -“Tactile Art”:
Experienced time – (The viewing of the art pieces will be more engaging for those who are lacking in the aspect of sight by touching the artwork)
Biological time – (Using their body part(hands) to feel the artwork and evoking emotions through this experience)
Similarities in usage of time in each artwork:
Requires participation and time of the audience (Interactivity)
Brings them out of their comfort zone (Entering a new realm that the audience is not used to)
Experience of audience participation of interacting with the object or situation (space) and their reaction based on their experience. (Different perspective and reaction in terms of emotions)
Every artwork uses linear time.
Manipulation of time –> Different perspective before, during and after experiencing with the artwork.
Focus on my final installation: Reaction/Experience, Perspective, Sound, Space through depth & Time. (Emotions)
I want my installation to be an interactive experience that uses sound and space through depth and navigation. Creating a reaction and an in-depth first-hand experience of the lifestyle of a blind person for the participant. It takes time to realise and empathise with someone’s lifestyle (Perspective). Focusing on experienced time.
Objective – Create a 30-second video that expresses clock time.
Cartwheeling My Way Into My New Clothes
Idea sketches:
Final Video
The moment I heard about this project, I decided to do a continuous series of cartwheel because it reminds me of the clocking ticking. To make it more fun, I wanted to show a routine of changing into a new set of clothes which takes 30 seconds! Enjoy <3
Went to CGH to check out the location for filming.
INSPIRATION OF IDEA
For my chosen location, I’ve decided to pick MENTAL HOSPITAL because I was inspired by my friend. When he was admitted into a mental institution, he was telling me about one of his bunk mates who thinks that he’s in heaven because everything is white, people are taking care of him and that’s the simple joy in life that he wanted. He’s always shouting, “Hallelujah, thank you Jesus for bringing me into heaven” however, he’s cursing at the others that they will go to hell. So I’ve decided that my approach for this concept to be a mental hospital being a safe haven to the protagonist.
PROCESS –
FIRST DRAFT: INITIAL HI-FI STORYBOARD
PAGE 1 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
PAGE 2 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
FIRST DRAFT: INITIAL SOUNDSCAPE
LAYERED SOUNDSCAPE USING GARAGEBAND
Problems with GarageBand: Transitioning of sounds and lack of experience using this software
FEEDBACK FROM PROF SERENA AFTER CONSULTATION:
Happy music should be cut down and the loud thud should come faster
Slicing sound effect should be sharper and louder
Transition sound effects properly
Use non-diegetic to combine flow as background (Not pleasant sound but it flows)
The footsteps should be more amplified and dramatic to show how sensitive the sound is to the protagonist
IMPROVEMENTS OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ CONCEPT
IMPROVED HI-FI STORYBOARD
PAGE 1 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
PAGE 2 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
PAGE 3 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
SOUNDSCAPE OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’
The majority of the sounds are recorded by myself using Zoom H4N Recorder as shown above in the graph table.
Cited sounds:
EMOTIONAL GRAPH OF SOUNDSCAPE OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’
SERENE + HEAVENLY (mind state of protagonist) —> THRILL & SUSPENSE (finding out the location of the protagonist whereabouts –> PSYCHOTIC FEELING (when you find out she’s a mental patient)
PROCESS: VIDEO + SOUNDSCAPE
Filming experience:
My little sister as the protagonist
Me as the doctor
Filming and directing was fun because I get to direct my sister to act out the scenes I’ve had in mind and thinking of ways to make the visuals better together with the soundscape.
Low budget filming cast:
My little sister – Mental patient; Protagonist
Me – Doctor, Family member
Editing of visual and soundscape on Premiere Pro:
Both soundscape and video are editing using Premiere Pro as I was familiar using this software (:
FINAL OUTCOME OF VIDEO & SOUNDSCAPE OF SAFE HAVEN (MENTAL HOSPITAL)
The protagonist is a mental patient with depression and suicidal thoughts who thinks that the mental hospital she’s in is a safe haven. Everything is white and simple and that’s what she has been wanting which is simple joy without any worries. It showcase the difference in acceptance of reality between the protagonist and her family member. To the protagonist, it is a safe haven whereas to her family member, it is a hell zone being cooped up in a mental institution. It makes you wonder what’s reality and heaven is just a place in your head that you have created because till today, nobody knows what heaven or hell looks like and it’s up to your own interpretation.
COMPONENT 1: VISUAL SEQUENCE
CHOSEN LOCATION: ***MENTAL HOSPITAL***
First encounter approach to this location: A safe haven to the protagonist
Approach for VISUAL AESTHETICS of the video:
DREAMY –> REALISTIC
(to show the different world/perspective between the protagonist and her family member)
THEME FOR CONCEPT:
ALL WHITE, TIMELESS AND FADED to CLEAR
DREAM-LIKE STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS
SHOWING TWO PERSPECTIVE OF A SAFE HAVEN AND A HELL ZONE
INITIAL HI-FI STORYBOARD
PAGE 1 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
PAGE 2 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
REFINED HI-FI STORYBOARD
PAGE 1 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
PAGE 2 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
PAGE 3 OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ STORYBOARD
COMPONENT 2: SOUNDSCAPE
Layering of small elements such as breathing and bed compressing (diegetic sounds) together with non-diegetic sound such as the happy music and beeping sound to heighten and elevate the intended atmosphere.
SOUNDSCAPE OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ – 1 MINUTE
EMOTIONAL GRAPH OF SOUNDSCAPE OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’
SERENE + HEAVENLY (mind state of protagonist) —> THRILL & SUSPENSE (finding out the location of the protagonist whereabouts –> PSYCHOTIC FEELING (when you find out she’s a mental patient)
How do you want your audience to NAVIGATE THIS SPACE? –Associate the mindset of the mental patient with the white space (heavenly). The different acceptance of reality.
Attributes of the location are you highlighting? – The simplicity and whites of the location that depicts innocence and happiness.
Does it evoke an emotional response in your audience? – Showcase the different acceptance of reality. What is reality or real?
Reference for Soundscape
OUTLAST:
PEWDIEPIE (Youtuber that plays psychotic games):
After my consultation with Prof Serena, she suggested to use an unpleasant non-diegetic sound that flows for the background of my video. I’ve decided to use reference from thrill, horror and suspense game such as Outlast and see the gamer’s reaction to the sound and visual to assist me in my video making and soundscape editing.
CRITIQUE FROM PEERS:
Slow down on the scene where it shows the patient’s emotions on drawings.
Prof Serena suggested that the protagonist should play all the characters and roles in the film so it will be more psychotic.
Find the balance between showing the two perspective of the safe haven to the protagonist and hell zone to family member by making a distinct difference between the opacity of the visuals. (More dream-like and faded for protagonist) and (Clearer for family members).
Maybe just try to do in the protagonist’s perspective of a safe haven so it will be clearer.
The soundscape at the beginning of the video is not clear.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
Personally, I really enjoyed doing this project as I get to delve into filming as well as creating my own soundscape to reinforce and manipulate the visuals of my concept – safe haven.
I used diegetic sounds to reinforce and manipulate certain visuals such as using the rustling of leaves for the psychotic blinking for a more dramatic effect.
Referencing and learning how to incorporate non-diegetic sounds to heighten the atmospheric value of the film and sound even though it is unpleasant, it flows with the visual to give it a thrill and suspense effects.
In addition, layering of sounds such as foreground, mid-ground and background of the small elements really brings the scene alive and it reminds me the importance of soundscape as it enhances the viewer’s experience.
As I delved into a new sector which is filming, it’s an interesting experience as I get to direct my sister to act and get the framing and shots I’ve envisioned in my head while considering how I’m going to edit it.
Editing wise, it will a little bit tedious using Premiere Pro as I have to ensure the movement of my protagonist aligns with the soundscape but all in all, I really want to do more film projects and create more interesting concepts using the techniques I’ve learnt.
After the critique, I really loved this project’s objectives as I get to see the different styles of my coursemates’ work. You can see different emotions attached to the chosen location of theirs and widen my perspective on how certain concepts can be interpreted into different style such as animation, film, stock film and many more.
After watching this soundless video, what came to my mind was a relaxing mood with flower petals falling in the beginning which turns chaotic and explosive afterwards. Hence, inspiring me to do a soundscape of my mind when I’m entering a class with a calm and positive outlook, ready to tackle a new project but having brain fart explosions due to the overwhelming requirements and being clueless on where to start. At the end, I just want to enjoy my holiday and be worry-free! Enjoy the soundscape!
For our group performance, Gwendolyn, JiaXi, Zoey and I had to create a response and decided to do a short performance regarding the question that was given to us;
Silence is ???
Noise is ???
Sound is ???
Listening is ???
Gwendolyn started off with a rhythmic clapping (sound – pleasant to the ears).
JiaXi and Zoey followed Gwendolyn by clapping with a regular beat. (sound)
I disrupted the flow of the beat by doing a non-rhythmic clapping by doing a fast and irregular clapping. (noise – unpleasant to the ears)
Everyone started creating chaotic sounds by clapping in a non-rhythmic way. (noise)
Zoey stopped the chaotic sound with a loud bang by slamming her palms on the table. (sound)
After the end of the performance, there was a brief moment of silence (an abrupt change of sound – loud to silent).
The whole process of our audience paying attention to the performance is listening.
OWN INTERPRETATION:
SILENCE is death, deafening. To me, you will only achieve true silence when you’re dead. In addition, silence can also be an abrupt change of sound from loud to silent (transitional).
NOISE is an unpleasant sound to the ears. It is a subset of sound but has a negative connotation to it as it tends to be annoying and disruptive.
SOUND is pleasant to the ears. Something that we do not mute out and notice in an environment full of sound.
LISTENING is getting the audience to act on what they hear. The conscious act of processing sound and the brain is engaged and makes meaning from the sound they heard.
RESPONSE TO ANOTHER GROUP’S PRESENTATION
My favourite response is from Stella, Li Xin, Li Ying & Whitney’s group about the vending machine which uses their voice to mimic the mechanical sounds (diegetic sound) and asking the buyer whether they’re okay in a humanistic way (non-diegetic sound) which is an interesting approach to this dialogue.
It makes me ponder about the Fourth Industrial Revolution where soon everything will be filled with Artificial Intelligence and robots. It strips away our sense of emotions and incorporating our human voice as a greeting to the buyer retains a sense of humanism in the future. I really love their response <3
