Finding a Programme – Light Projection – Jenna's Spatial Design Blog

Inspired by:

Van Gogh Alive at Spark Arena
Projection rooms
Film Projections of art at Auckland Art Gallery
Links back to my Shadow puppet research on cinematic device research as it plays with the idea of light and shadow being the source of entertainment.
Use my already ribbon like sound wave and redesign it to form the shape of a reel being unwound which is typically used in light projections at the cinema.
Moving images can connect back to my image sequence video I am using my cinematic device.

Programme:

From a young age, cinema grew into an addictive magical experience and childhood favourite of mine, that was always a special treat. It introduced me to various art forms, cultures and the power of imagination around storytelling. As the lights dim you slowly slip into a new world escaping reality yet still remain in the now, surrounded by others all feeling the exact same thing. It uses the power of silence, light, emotion, colour and moving pictures to build an atmosphere that connects people through a shared experience. The cinema is a place of love, sadness, action and stillness. Fort Lane was once the home and embodiment of this cinematic spirit. It was the place for all early settlers of Auckland to be. As history progressed, Fort Lane slowly stopped being a place of destination. It became the in-between, middle and journey for those who travelled the Lane. Upon many visits to the space, It became apparent how undesirable Fort Lane had become, far from its exciting days of adventure. Auckland had lost its magic of entertainment. Through spatial design practices, I wondered how I could restore a sense of a cinema back to Fort Lane by awakening interactive elements of exhibition design through the study of privacy, light projection, form and materiality, all inspired by Auckland City’s historic urban cinematic qualities.

Fort Lane is a very busy transitional space set at a fast pace. Nobody stops moving and nothing stands still for long. It is primarily used as a pathway to more important places. ‘The Reel’ seeks to enhance the relationship between the community and Fort Lane by bringing a sense of privacy to the public space at a slower pulse. I was intrigued by the way Wunderlich (2013, p. 383) describes slow spaces frequently conducting social activities and movements in a harmoniously integrated, relaxed, and unhurried manner. It is frequently perceived as temporary pauses in a cityscape or as breathing spaces, providing periods of silence and encounters. The way Wunderlich illustrates a slow space is the same way I would understand how a private space is controlled. When designing ‘The Reel’ I kept this definition in the back of my mind as a constant reminder of what my project’s goal is. I consistently asked myself when developing my concept how I could better promote my carefully crafted structure as a rest and haven within Auckland city.

‘The Reel’ is an immersive and interactive exhibition environment that houses moving images in a dynamic free-flowing cinematic atmosphere. Through the attraction of glowing and dappled light piercing through a thin and transparent material, visitors to Fort Lane will be guided through a ribbon-like structure. They will be welcomed to sit, stand and wander through a light projection of art across the walls, ceiling and floor. These large-scaled projections will melt away the surrounding city frame, allowing you to dissolve and transport into an entirely new world. ‘The Reel’ is a space of connecting people through intimacy, silence and colour. Setting up “The Reel” as an interactive space has become a personal and critical contextual element to my design. Reading Sook Jin Jo’s interview conducted by Jonathan Goodman in 2017 has made me recognize my responsibility as a designer is to create a space that embraces all communities, cultures, and environments. I have the power to unite individuals and create a more open society through an interactive spatial design. Sook Jin Jo has personally discovered through her own work that an interactive environment can provide long-term benefits to both the artist and the community. It has the ability to shift perspectives, expand minds, stimulate creativity, and provide hope. This persuaded me to design ‘The Reel’ as more than just an experience for the eyes, but for the entire body. I want to give my audience the feeling of warmth and togetherness and furthermore bring to life an experience people can hold on to even after the event.

Reference: Jin Jo, S. (2021, July 21). Out of the Ordinary: A Conversation with Sook Jin Jo. Interview by J. Goodman. Sculpture Magazine. https://sculpturemagazine.art/out-of-the-ordinary-a-conversation-with-sook-jin-jo/

Wunderlich, F. M. (2013). Place-temporality and urban place-rhythms in urban analysis and design: An aesthetic akin to music. Journal of Urban Design, 18(3), 383-408. https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2013.772882

To further my design I have done some research into different methods and techniques of light projection I could adapt to my concept.

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