Lewis Balanoff- Small Worlds

3/20/23

2/20/23

February 20th^

Date your posts for me Lewis so I make sure I give you credit each week.

Currently my main question is how to best add lights, what I envision is scattered spots of light kinda like a starry night sky. I also am attracted to the concept of having a variety of colors, my lights will be sandwiched between my external and internal cones so it will only bee seen through paper. My question then is essentially how to create a lighting system that effectively does this . Since I want it to have lights from top to bottom I think a string of lights wrapped around will best create the effect I am looking for.

So something to think about- how can you manipulate string lights so that they do not appear like string leds or christmas lights? Why a starry night sky? What does that bring to the idea?

Continuing construction I added horizontal beams for strength of structure. From there I will then be adding diagonal beams  to create triangles throughout. That will create little windows that will show light through them when inside the cone.

After making sure my extra components were actually to my scale , I went for a flat black for a minimalist design. I have steps, a wheelchair ramp, along with a shoe cover dispenser, trash for disposal and a bench for those who would find it easier to sit to put them on.

February 12th^

Stay up to date! ^^

In progress of internal skeleton that will use skin and bone method with white tissue paper.

Gallery objects in progress: wheel chair ramp, steps, shoe cover dispenser, bench, and trash can. 

Scale: 1in : 2ft

I have started preparing the gallery space , adding steps so it is accessible to the door. I also want to add a wheelchair ramp so it would be accessible for everyone, ADA width for access is at least 32 inches. My scale is one inch is the equivalent to two feet in full scale. My doorway measures 48 inches allowing for most mobility devices. I want to include a little stand to dispense shoe covers to keep the glass clean, which also means I need to include a way to dispose of them and a bench for people that may need to sit to put them on. The shoe covers seem to be made out of a similar material as masks so I plan to experiment with using one to make them on the miniature scale.

February 6th^

I created a maquette of the gallery space, using butcher paper Next time use chipboard I was able to know the Internal space Im working with. This is important to accurately create the internal cone that will allow space for led wiring when assembled. I think balsa wood square dowels are a great material, when put together with super glue it creates a sturdy structure. I have started the process of mapping out the base, and will continue from there making sure I stay within the confines of my room. I have also found a mirror that will be the perfect fit for the floor of my installation.

Let's talk about this structure..

Concept sketches/ Ideation:

#1

For this concept I want to convey feeling small in an infinite space , reflecting on tunnel vision and the isolation it can create. It’s not intended to be seen as a negative or positive space, more an ambient feeling that is calming. This is my leading idea currently, it's the one that I would enjoy most experiencing it at a life size scale. As you enter through the doorway you realize why you had to put on shoe covers, because the whole floor is a mirror. As you adjust to the lower light you look up seeing  the tall tunnel going up , through a thin transparent material allowing a glowing assortment of colors showing through. Scanning the space as a whole you feel as if you're floating within this structure, the only break is a hole at the top. The intention is to consider how sometimes we hold on to a concept so tightly that everything just fades into space around us. This speaks to my work as a whole feeling of being stuck, perception and a feeling of  tension.

#2

My second idea is meant to exist as a bright and lighthearted experience. For me texture of textiles has been interesting, I tend to really like certain ones that provide a deep sense of comfort. Other times I find other textures extremely unpleasant to touch, making texture a big part of my life. My bedding and blankets are a variety of textures that are calming and make me happy. For this installation I want to convey the feeling of comfort and joy I feel. As a viewer you walk into a room that is bright , but dimmed enough not to be harsh. From floor to ceiling are a collection of spheres in a variety of colors and textures that invite you to interact by feeling them. On the walls would be hexagon panels that mirror the room's shape and would bounce colorful light into the space. Full scale I think a light “soundscape” playing this would really complete the experience.

#3

The third concept creates an experience that is intended in a sense overwhelming or leaving one questioning their perception of observations. The feeling of being tense as you attempt to investigate something without being able. When walking in you are met with a bright fluorescent light that is intended to create a sense of unease because of its unnatural quality. As you look around from floor to ceiling are white semi-transparent squares, inside appear to be shadows. Some of these shadows are interacting some alone, many spaces none. The viewer can try to understand the shadows or they can say it's a representational image, but no clues are given. Leaving them wondering what they all mean , feeling so to speak left out the conversation. Full scale I would like to have a loop playing of faint whispers. Social cues are something I struggle with and try hard to understand. For me sometimes I feel like a human impersonator in social interactions. This isn't always true of every situation but it is often something I experience. I have people I am familiar with talking to and situations that I don't feel I need to perform. This installation is a physical representation of feeling overwhelmed in how to interpret social cues. 

                                                                                                             

Found object Galleries: 

H 18in x L 10in x W 10in

H 4in x L 7in x W 4.25in

H 3.5in x L 9in x W 9in

 Artist Inspirations:

Heike Weber

I think the way the pattern covers the whole room creates the feeling of no longer being inside the confines of a building.

Yayoi Kusama

If there is one thing Kusama knows it is infinity and she does it in such a beautiful way, not making one feel small or insignificant but a part of this expanding universe. 

John Grade

I thinks the height is what makes this piece I don't think smaller scale would do it justice, likewise idea #1 scale is important to the experience.

Dale Chihuly

This work of Dale’s has such a comfortable soft glow to it that is inviting and comforting.

John Grade

The environment feels like it is consuming the viewer, but not in a hostile manner.

Hiroshi Fuji

The bright colors catch attention, and your eyes are drawn from floor up as this colorful mass crawls up the walls.