Our big idea for this final project was fate. It is something that we both believe in and have discussed a lot while working on this project, discovering what exactly it means to us and why. We believe that we are where we are supposed to be in life and that the decisions we make along the way, although seem very important, are in fact insignificant in the grand scheme of life. Our future is determined before we can even make these decisions and there is an end result waiting for us that is consistent. We believe the end image of our individual lives is the same regardless of the path we chose to get there and that it is made up of small decisions. We created an interactive space where the user is physically able to make decisions and move onto the next choice. It has been concluded that our piece cannot be classified as either a narrative or non-narrative as the images do not quite make an obvious story; there is not one path that is mapped out as more significant than another, nor is there a real connection between the images. However, the point of this exercise is for the user to build their own narrative. The path they choose is completely up to them and their destination is determined based on the choices they make, forming their own story with an individual and unique meaning.
As seen in our documentation video, we have a total of 15 boards (13 decisions and 2 final images), each with two photographs that we have taken ourselves. The images and background music are a combination of architecture and nature used to represent a negative or a positive choice. We were not indicating in anyway that one is positive and the other is negative nor are we comparing the two; we simply used them as a tool, as things we are constantly surrounded by to prove our point. We really wanted to get away from making this a piece about a daily routine or having the good and bad so obvious that it is easy to make decisions. It is all about the viewer being in control and shaping their own story, resembling the uncertainties in life.
The purpose of this installation is to be a reflection of where we are in or lives right now. We are at a young age where we have so many uncertainties and are worried that the choices we make will drastically shape our future. We approach every decision with caution; frightful of the consequences they may have in the long run. Yet all of these choices make up the final image of our life, shaping us into the person we finally grow into with the end result as a place where one is at peace with who they are and feel confident in what they are doing. We chose an image of darkness leading to a light place for the final image. For some it could represent death, for others hope of a new beginning, or even the unknown. The image is symbolic because at the time of making these life decisions, one can be seen as standing "in the dark" unable to see what is around them and unclear of where to go. As they approach the light at the end of the tunnel, things start to become visible and they can finally see things falling into place. We projected the final image of the tunnel onto the boards as it showed that the smaller images make up the bigger life picture and it is not always perfect. We chose to present the boards scattered throughout the entire room creating somewhat of a physical maze where the viewer has to navigate their way through, arriving at different decisions. The maze may have been somewhat confusing and the user could spotted the other images in the background, however, just like in life sometimes we have an idea of what is in our future but we cannot see the whole picture until we are in the moment. It is important to make choices based on what is happening in the moment, as whatever comes next is inevitable and meant to be.
Reflecting back, we are proud of the piece we created and feel our intended message was clearly conveyed. The critique we had last week was very beneficial in exposing what we could improve. If we could change one thing about our piece, it would be the lighting. We encountered many problems and ultimately, due to cost and availability we were not able to find what we were looking for. Ideally we would have much brighter lights and enough for each individual image as opposed to lighting the whole board at once. For the purpose of the presentation, we should have let more light into the room so our images appeared stronger and explained our issue with lighting.
As New Media artists, we were able to create an interactive environment that gave the viewer the power of being in control. The users were presented with alternative options every time, proving that they always have a choice, ultimately deciding their path. We created a place for the user to exercise their imagination, and take their own journey, not only through our installation but also in life. Each image symbolized something different for every user, therefore making each experience unique and meaningful.
As seen in our documentation video, we have a total of 15 boards (13 decisions and 2 final images), each with two photographs that we have taken ourselves. The images and background music are a combination of architecture and nature used to represent a negative or a positive choice. We were not indicating in anyway that one is positive and the other is negative nor are we comparing the two; we simply used them as a tool, as things we are constantly surrounded by to prove our point. We really wanted to get away from making this a piece about a daily routine or having the good and bad so obvious that it is easy to make decisions. It is all about the viewer being in control and shaping their own story, resembling the uncertainties in life.
The purpose of this installation is to be a reflection of where we are in or lives right now. We are at a young age where we have so many uncertainties and are worried that the choices we make will drastically shape our future. We approach every decision with caution; frightful of the consequences they may have in the long run. Yet all of these choices make up the final image of our life, shaping us into the person we finally grow into with the end result as a place where one is at peace with who they are and feel confident in what they are doing. We chose an image of darkness leading to a light place for the final image. For some it could represent death, for others hope of a new beginning, or even the unknown. The image is symbolic because at the time of making these life decisions, one can be seen as standing "in the dark" unable to see what is around them and unclear of where to go. As they approach the light at the end of the tunnel, things start to become visible and they can finally see things falling into place. We projected the final image of the tunnel onto the boards as it showed that the smaller images make up the bigger life picture and it is not always perfect. We chose to present the boards scattered throughout the entire room creating somewhat of a physical maze where the viewer has to navigate their way through, arriving at different decisions. The maze may have been somewhat confusing and the user could spotted the other images in the background, however, just like in life sometimes we have an idea of what is in our future but we cannot see the whole picture until we are in the moment. It is important to make choices based on what is happening in the moment, as whatever comes next is inevitable and meant to be.
Reflecting back, we are proud of the piece we created and feel our intended message was clearly conveyed. The critique we had last week was very beneficial in exposing what we could improve. If we could change one thing about our piece, it would be the lighting. We encountered many problems and ultimately, due to cost and availability we were not able to find what we were looking for. Ideally we would have much brighter lights and enough for each individual image as opposed to lighting the whole board at once. For the purpose of the presentation, we should have let more light into the room so our images appeared stronger and explained our issue with lighting.
As New Media artists, we were able to create an interactive environment that gave the viewer the power of being in control. The users were presented with alternative options every time, proving that they always have a choice, ultimately deciding their path. We created a place for the user to exercise their imagination, and take their own journey, not only through our installation but also in life. Each image symbolized something different for every user, therefore making each experience unique and meaningful.
