Mockup: New Configuration

Inspiration from the Stage

This past Friday, I had the privilege of traveling to Chicago with Notre Dame's Multicultural Programs and Services to watch a production of Hamilton. People rave about this show for many reasons, but some particularly striking elements for me were the representation of time throughout the show, the carefully choreographed dance and theatrical group movement, and the use of lighting.

One moment in particular that stood out to me was when Hamilton sang the song Hurricane. Echoing the lyrics, the lighting on the stage was dark and turbulent, but he stood in a tiny golden spotlight at the center---the eye of the storm. Watching this, I had the thought, "They are visually projecting Hamilton's emotional state around him through the use of dramatic lighting." I noticed similar strategies in other scenes, and I found their impact stunning.

Where this insight is useful in regard to my project is that I am trying to work through how to depict thoughts and feelings outside of the body, going beyond the limitations of facial expression and body language.

Thesis Presentation to Faculty: Reflection

Last Friday, I presented my thesis direction to the art and design faculty. Overall, I thought things went reasonably well, and I was informed later that day that I had passed, receiving the Grief award for materials in the amount of $600. 

I received very positive reactions to the use of three-dimensional elements in my work, and found the feedback on that front encouraging.

In a few other areas, I received some critiques that may require rethinking and reworking how I will present my idea. One of the objections to my current mockup was in regard to my use of classical figures alongside my abstractions. My reasoning for including a more realized figure at all is that I want the viewer to be able to recognize a figure in the work as having agency; I want that figure to be the one doing the reflecting, not the viewer herself. This is important to me because I think that if the viewer were supposed to extrapolate that they were looking into themselves, I think there would be too much ambiguity for me to make a clear statement. Another point that was made was that my use of specifically male and female gendered bodies could be problematic. I can see why they say that, but I am concerned people will interpret my work as being "about women" and possibly miss the point. The question then, is what can I do with my representation of bodies to make the read clear and to best represent my intentions?

Video Mockup: Updated

Installation Sketch & Video Mockup

3 Sections - Self Reflection on edges - Interaction in center

Mockup: Reactions

So, the good news is, people are reacting really well to my project! I put up my mockup in the hallway. Some reactions have included the following:

• "I want to hang this in my house when I can afford to have actual art." -Student
• "I like what you've got going on. Do more." -Professor
• "It's really beautiful" -Student
• "She seems vulnerable." -Student
• Slight Discomfort
• Interest/Curiosity

Those are just a few things that people said to me while I was working. What I was really happy to see was that I seemed to be successful in creating a visual experience that was both visually appealing and a little off-putting in the details. People seemed to want to spend time examining the different pieces, and I think that was definitely due in large part to the warm/vibrant aesthetic, interest created through 3D elements, and the reflective surfaces.

Installation Layout Idea