Sparking memories of coastal terrain, I am using visual and smell senses to evoke feelings and memories. "The smell of something can immediately trigger a detailed memory or even intense emotion". Visually, I am projecting moving image films that are of coastal landscapes, using materiality and texture that is inspired/imitates coastal qualities and the colours that are frequently seen in these environments. For the smell aspect, I originally wanted the whole interior to be filled with an ocean scent, but because there is a lot of circulating air within the space, I don't think that would work. Instead I have created these stations that are situated throughout the space in convenient places that emit the smell of the ocean.
Moving Image:
Moving image work that will be shown:
The Green Ray by Tacita Dean
Disappearance at Sea by Tacita Dean
Disappearance at Sea 2 by Tacita Dean
Seascape by James Welling
Three Landscapes by Roy Lichenstein
The Sea by Hyun Jean Lee
The schedule consists of six moving image works that focus around the ocean/coastal environments. In relation to the tidal regimes, each film will replay on a loop and change every 6 hours and 12.5 minutes (the time it takes the shore to go from low to high, or high to low) to the next film.
Materiality:
Although I am keeping the walls and ceiling as they are now, I have decided to change the flooring. Currently the floor is black tiles that run through Imperial Lane and are very similar to the Queen Street and Fort Lane ground tiles. Because this is a centre for remembrance and connection to the ocean, mimicking the flooring to display tidal flats along the interior creates a connection to the ground we stand on. As this is reclaimed land, at one stage tidal flats were once what the ground consisted of. Painted concrete with earthy, sand tones consisting of irregular shapes and forms creates an interconnectedness with the ground as you walk along Imperial Lane.
Along the walls that are not original brick, are where natural clay tiles encase the walls. The tiles have a bumpy surface texture that also mimic tidal flats. These protruding textures welcome visitors to touch the tiles, as their fingers run over each irregular bump. In a dull green grey colour, they are inspired by naturally occurring colours that surround coastal environments.
Floor Plan:
Within the sectioned off room where the projection is situated, organically shaped couches are present for comfortable seating to fully experience the centre and have the time to increase memories that are being unearthed. Because I have had troubles with my floor plan, I tried many different layouts, playing with the rotation and placement of the couches. Keeping in mind to provide enough space for movement and body placement to view the moving images.
Acrylic Panels:
Inspired by the Gweilo lamps, and wanting to interfere the transparency of the clear acrylic, the panels will be embossed with this surface design, making these panels into wave forms. The texture would be difficult to see so using light to illuminate the embossed texture will make it more visible and create a slight barrier to each section. Using LED strips, they will need to be attached to the straight edges of the panels, and will need to be reinforced to prevent damage to the strips. A case made from stainless steel will wrap around the edges of the panels where the strips are, helping the light to only illuminate the embossed texture and securely hold the strips in place. To securely hold the panels in place, slim metal feet are bolted to the panels and flooring, in case someone was to accidently hit the panels as they walk around them.
Smell Stations:
To emit smell into the space, several areas have these smelling stations that emit ocean inspired smells. Pedestals that are at a height of 1070mm, hold glass paua shells where the scent is emitting from. Paua shells native to New Zealand are a symbol for connectivity and harmony to relationships, and of change and transition. Ive chosen to model the paua shells out of glass because it resembles the transparency of the ocean, and the crystallization of memories.
The way this emits smell is through the use of a small oil diffuser that sits within the pedestal. A hallowed out area of the pedestal sits an oil diffuser that is battery powered. A hole that is in the stand of the pedestal and shell help the scent from travelling out of the shell for visitors to smell. Geranium, ylang-ylang, rose and cedarwood oils are combined to mimic the familiar and distinctive smell of the ocean.
Key Interactions:
With many different elements happening in my project, mapping out what is a key moment and needs to be shown will help when making my storyboard. I have mapped out key interactions that I will be prioritising in my storyboard.
Elevation:
Finalizing my elevation, I wanted to add some more elements to it, to connect it more to my project. The ground has been a big part of my design, looking at land reclamation and environmental degradation. Playing with the brush tools on photoshop, I created three different layers that show the changes due to reclaiming land. The deepest layer is the sea floor sediments, the middle layer is the mud flats, and the last layer is debris that filled in the land which mainly is soil and debris from Fort Britomart. For the sky I also played with the brush tools to create some texture for the clouds. Textures of the facade have also been added, and people to show the design in relation to the public.
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