Finding a way, meeting new people, experiencing new practices.
I’ve already started a mini piece of research whilst I’ve been here in Shanghai. Immediately on arriving at the airport, I started noticing the use of arrows on the floor to direct the flow of people through spaces – two-way arrows that light up to indicate direction; arrows directing you to a fire exit; coloured arrows to indicate the correct metro line; arrows to show where to get off and where to get on to a train.
I’ve been taking photographs of these arrows as I see them. I’m keeping my eyes open for arrows and will continue this throughout the residency. I’m already thinking about printing the photographs and installing them on the floor, or the possibilities of drawing arrows into spaces where they wouldn’t be to see how they affect the movement of people through that space. I think some observation of people in relation to the arrows that already exist is required first.
There’s an international workshop (http://www.alllan.com/2012workshop/index.htm) being held at the university about experimental apps, digital technologies and art. I’ve given a short introduction to my practice today and have heard from practitioners from Shanghai, Melbourne, Salford, and MIT. The workshop proper starts on Tuesday, when I’ll be working with Professors and students from Shanghai university – the theme for the workshop is using GPS, so I’m wondering whether my arrows project will fit in with that, or whether there is another aspect of my practice that I can apply GPS to on this occasion.
Lots of new people with exciting practices to work alongside!
