Month: July 2021

I looked at Simone Decker’s chewing gum installations. His works catch audiences’ attention by enlarging chewing gum’s sticky characteristic in public space. However, chewing gum’s fancy colour seem to deliver a positive message rather than stop people from spit it on ground. His message is confusing. This reminds me of my street wall observation, which captures wall textures. My project doesn’t deliver specific message neither. The way I set discarded objects with precious metal is trying to highlight objects value. This material combination proofs, although they are unwanted objects left on street. Their sentimental value makes them look precious. My project helps people to see street object’s precious side. So I need to stay frank with what I found on street. Make sure that I am transforming material rather than making assumption of the street. I will ask feedbacks on two types of badges and see which one makes better senses.

I am pleased with the street observation this week. Collected materials like bricks and concrete directly remind me of the street. It might not be good if they were smashed into smaller units just to fit with badge’s circular shape. Their irregular forms represent the feeling of street directly. However, I need to add my design element with in these found object. Badges circular shape makes strong contrast with street objects’ irregular shape. Apart from circles I can also test out rectangles or squares I will also try to understand why most badges are circles?

My observation on chewing gum that pressed on pavement can develop into badges as well. They share similar visual quality with some of the wall textures. I need to investigate why people spit chewed gums on street and also the history of chewing gum.  

10^th July

       Now I decide to exhibit my jewellery on white background because viewers’ attention will not distract by complex layout. However, white background separates street context from jewellery, which is harder for viewers to understand my inspiration. To improve the layout, I decide to test out a few different layouts and ask peoples’ preferences. Or I could photograph jewellery on streets communicate my urban context through images. Alternatively, I will also look at artistic displays that show narrative.

       I am not satisfied with the rings because they are not shinny enough to contrast with street found stones. Visual contrast is the key for my jewellery the stronger the contrast is the more attention people will pay to jewellery. I will repolish those rings with fabric polishing mop and go though them with metal paste before the exhibition.     

Alternative questions:

How can I represent the street feeling through display?

How to attract viewers attention?