Proof of Concept

All of the experimenting done throughout the semester has lead to this: an installation featuring stripped leaves. The simplicity of the leaves and layering is able to be dynamically changed once there is an addition of light.

Depending on the direction of the light, the leaves can look alive or dead.

Once the light is angled, the resulting reflections and shadows create the waving patterns. The leaves then come to life as if they are lit on fire with a shadow of smoke in the background.

This is a video of different light movements used to simulate the moving light projections.

My family is very uninterested in art. BUT, I got a “cool thing” from my sister when she saw it in passing and I count that as a big win! Usually she just says, “I don’t get it,” and walks away without letting me explain anything.

I gave 10 friends who live in California a glimpse of the installation video and images. I did not mention the source of the inspiration because I wanted to see what they thought of the piece itself. After showing the projects, I immediately had responses saying they knew it was related to fire. One viewer commented that it looked like a transition of fall colors and dying leaves. Once I told them that the piece is based off of the wild fires and orange skies, I could tell there was a disconnect. My feedback was that the orange glow or an essence of orange needed o be stronger in the space in order to convey the importance of the experience.

Here is a link to the final presentation documenting all of my experiments. I had a lot of fun trying to figure out how I was going to be able to tell a story about a natural phenomenon that most people did not experience. I wanted to push myself to step away from what I know and try something new. That meant walking away from graphic and product design and trying out installations.

Projects that are transformative and tangible have always fascinated me. Because I never delved into this type of work, my biggest challenge was figuring out what worked and how they worked together. I had to test a lot of my ideas on a small scale to see if the direction was even possible. One example was projecting with objects in front. I did not realize that the depth of each item caused the projection to blue and go out of focus, creating a space that was more confusing and hectic than inspiring.

I would give myself a 22/24.

concept 5/6

research 5/6

prototype 12/12

I am really proud of all the different experiments that I produced and learned a lot from them. That is why I switched mediums and project ideas so often. I was not sure if it was interesting enough or challenging or unexpected. The final prototype has developed from a combined mixture of each individual mini project and I really look forward to where it is going.

That being said, I think that my tendency to question my project is why I docked points off for concept and research. The constant switching meant that some of the information and projects I was looking into became less relevant. The concept was also not as solid throughout the process. Knowing myself, I need at least a month with an idea to let it sink in before I revisit it in order to know that it is my final direction. Every time I come up with a new concept I get really excited like a kid with a new toy. If I like it in a month, then it is like one of my favorites and I wont donate it.

Overall, I am really happy with how I ended the semester. I think I was a little all over the place throughout the class trying to figure out what I wanted to do. However, I think I was able to reign together all the bits and pieces and make sense of it.