The Final Installation, exhibited in the 2nd year C+C studio

I have been developing a light source for my installation, as a symbol of

both enlightenment, and of technological progress. Hovering over the centre point of the inside

of the structure, over grass, it serves as a representation of the life source.

A question to people of, perhaps, whether they will be part of an active seeking of

progress, not only of the technological kind, but of finding solutions to ecological damage, to the problems of industrial alienation etc.

It seeks also to reference Helio Oiticica "Nucleus", and position the person at the centre of the work- to lighten the space they must actively search for a means to light the cube.

http://aeaf.org.au/about/aboutaeaf.html

The Australian Experimental Art Foundation is where Jim Allen, a New Zealand
sculpture and installation artist, spent much time in the 70s.

It is an organisation dedicated to promoting emerging and established artists
who create innovative and challenging works. Included in the Foundation's
Mission Statement is a concern for emerging technologies and works that
challenge the status quo.

My concept for final installation


Curvilinear 'tent' like structure, that can be unravelled and constructed
from a height. Will require two people to work as a team releasing it.

Flooring will consist of greenery or plants, in an attempt to elicit notions
of some of the ecological utopias, and to symbolise ideas of interconnedness
of life systems. [Perhaps some interation where users have to care for the
inhabitants of their utopia would be beneficial].

In this one I hope to achieve a combination of the collaborative and ecological
ideologies of utopianism. It also references the creation of alternative
spaces within institutional settings as witnessed in the art of Helio Oiticica and
The Situationists, who aimed to create new spaces for creativity by in a sense
challenging norms. Helio Oiticica's installation work of the late 60s and early 70s
shows alternate ways of inhabiting space, and encourages spontaenous happenings,
poetry and performance. The Situationists employed elements of drama to create
social critique.

It is my hope that with this part of the installation, I will challenge the institutional
space of Design School, as well as leaving people with a sense of questioning-
questioning their relationship with their immediate environment, with the new
social space created by a novel design, with ideas of how life could be.

It is quite abstract and conceptual, not so much a -'we should live in tents inside', as
a, why don't we seek more engaging ways to learn ?. Also, can we communicate
through a non-text language? Can we educate without words, but with forms,
poetic gestures, textures? The concept of Dialogical Education plays a part in my
construction of this installation, that of seeking other ways that are more engaging to
convey a message.

Juxtaposed against this more fluid structure will be one embodying some of the ideals
of 19th Century Utopian theory. Among these facets are:

• A pursuit of industrial production.


• A belief in scientific knowledge as predominant wisdom of the era.


• Selectivity in Utopian lilterature- people who would be included in the 'ideal society'would be selected by elitest criteria, often the aspect of eugenics and reproduction playsa large part in the literature.


• Centralist state control, or a central powerful figure


• Ideal future would be industrial and technological

For the tangible realisation of these ideologies I plan to construct:

A wooden chest, symbolic of treasure, has connotations with history, but possibly with an element of journey to. It will contain 3-5 individual lockers with items in each space that can only be revealed to the person who unlocks their locker. I will take on the role of "philosopher king", or central authority figure, by being the one who selects those to grant keys to.

Items at this stage will be crafted symbolic artefacts embodying some of the ideals of the era,

probably with a heavily industrial age aesthetic.

http://www.leonardo.info/isast/spec.projects/osthoff/osthoff.html

An article showing the influence of Lygia Clark and Helio Oiticica on contemporary digital and interactive artists.