A lot of my works – be it in painting, photography, sketches, sculptures and also installations – involve animals in some way or some form. This current project that I am working on is no different … an animal theme features strongly in the work and following on from the projects I was doing last year a zoo theme also features prominently at the forefront driving the project ever forward to the degree show.
With my current designs I have been looking at creating an odd shaped 5 sided enclosure that will house humans as if they were in a zoo. All designs have taken the structural elements that are already in place … the walls … into account as well as the size of the space and the lighting around that area of the studios (windows etc)
Attached to this post are two images … the first is of some rough sketchbook sketches that include the rough layout of my part of the studio (bottom) and some of the window designs (top) that I have been playing around with.
Initially with my ideas I wanted the viewer to have two experiences … the 1st being inside the enclosure structure where they would participate for a set time in the installation work and become their inner animal. The 2nd experience was to be a viewer to the piece – to be outside the space and look upon the installation enclosure as if they were at the zoo.
After a tutorial last week this idea has been gone. My tutor got my thinking about what viewers do when they go to the zoo … they view the animals – they don’t go in the exhibits (ok this is not entirely true … some exhibits are open so you can wander with the animals BUT I dare you to try and walk with a lion or a tiger … I doubt you will come tell me about your experience). So because of this tutorial I have decided to completely close off the space and keep it locked and secure so no one can go in.
By doing this and having another lengthy chat with my boyfriend about what to do … I had more ideas (my poor head) and this is what I have been working on this week … see next post.
The second image is of two more rough designs that are in my sketchbook. The top right image is of a slightly wonky design of the 5 walled structure I am wanting to create, whilst the second, bottom left, is a bit more of an accurate design. The window for the viewers to look through will be on right hand wall and the bottom wall, this will hopefully mean that they viewer will be able to see all aspects of the space.
