Katie-Materialistic Installation Ideas

Date: 2/15/23

Update on Materialistic Installation:

I have finished sewing together the dropped ceiling for my project and I am very happy with the result. In the That gallery, it still looks pretty empty but I was able to cover the light motion sensor and set up the lighting which was extremely tedious and took a long time. At first, I thought that colorful lightbulbs would be a good solution to having a colored room. But after looking at the lights in the gallery and talking to Ashley, I realized that plan wasn't going to work and decided to use LED light strips instead. It was an unexpected logistical nightmare trying to figure out how to make this new plan work, but the end result was well worth it (see images below). The lights have a small gap where they don't quite meet, but once the dropped ceiling and everything is up I am hopeful it won't be so noticeable. It does not seem worth it to set up another full line of lights for only a few inches worth of coverage (and it will be covered anyway). The lights have many color options and can be controlled with a remote.

The next step is to hang my dropped ceiling and attach all of my needlefelted balls, then connect them with yarn.

DATE: 2/2/23

Update on Materialistic Installation:

I have decided to alter my idea slightly after doing some artist research. I found a video about a group from Japan called teamLAB that focuses on artwork that is immersive and that feels "boundless" or without end. Their use of color is lovely and it made me think a lot about how I want to use color in my piece. I think instead of having all of the balls being colorful, I would like them to be white instead. This way, I can use colorful light instead of the normal lights and it won't alter the color of the balls. I still want the hanging orbs to be soft/plush so I may use all roving instead of pieces of fabric. THink about cotton batting as well. Cut down the expense.

Below are some images I took of my miniature model and how it might look under different colors of light. I also traced a path of where the viewer will walk as they move through the room (it's on the ceiling so I knew where to place everything). I want to create a walkway of sorts so I may put some orbs on dowels positioned along the walkway (also connected with string) to guide the viewer as they move through the room. I still want to connect all of the orbs with string because that part is essential to my concept of our connections in life (I just didn't have string at the time I took the pictures).

(I apologize for the poor image quality, my camera had a really hard time focusing but I did my best.)

LOVE IT!! Nice job Katie with the maquette!! Full steam ahead. 

Sketches and Ideation:

            Idea 1:

My first idea is to hang colorful orbs (foam or styrofoam) from the ceiling at various height intervals spread throughout the room. The orbs will be covered in fabric or needlefelt with colors. Out of the larger orbs, or perhaps one central orb, wooden dowels will stick out with smaller balls attached and also covered in fabric or needlefelt. All of the balls will be connected to each other with yarn or string.

This project is to show a physical manifestation of how we are connected to others in life. We have our immediate group of family and friends, then extended family, those we meet in passing, and those who have passed on. Our connections only grow more complex as we meet more people and it creates a web of familiarity. Navigating those connections is difficult sometimes which will be communicated to the viewer as they must crouch and move through the web to view and be immersed in it. The shadows that the connections make will be very interesting and I hope humbling as we realize that we all exist on the same plane.

            

            Idea 2:

My second idea is called The Anti-Comfort Zone. I call it this because I want this to be a physical expression of what anxiety may look like. I struggle immensely with anxiety and sometimes I become frustrated when people do not understand how it feels to be comfortable existing in a negative mind space. This installation contains cones of many sizes protruding from the walls at all angles to reach towards the viewer. The cones will be made of chicken wire and wrapped in black fabric with colorful fabric at the tips to appear soft and inviting. Cushions, pillows, and blankets will be placed on the floor so the viewer may sit and exist in this comfortable, yet uncomfortable, space as the points of the cones reach for the viewer. Being comfortable in an anxious state of mind is difficult, it only has negative outcomes even if that isn't clear at the time. Being in your comfort zone is nice, but does it promote growth? How are we to learn more, grow more, become more if we never leave the comfort zone? Sometimes staying in your comfort zone can be as much of a risk as leaving it.

Artists that Inspire Me:

Dale Chihuly:

I have been fortunate enough to see Dale Chihuly's work in person, both in Denver at the Botanic Gardens and in Las Vegas in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Every piece of blown glass works together to create something larger and the colors he chooses are bright and wild. His work catches the eye so quickly and demands attention.

Paul Hayes:

I found Paul Hayes to be inspirational because his work is very immersive and takes up the entire space that it occupies. He uses a lot of paper and string, with much patience and repetition, to create massive works of art. I especially like that the viewer is forced to interact with the art by moving through the space differently than they otherwise would.