the exhibition concept: No Strings Attached
My exhibition plan is an extension of the short-term trend forecast, No Strings Attached. The colour yellow has heavily influenced this trend, and this will still be the case for the exhibition. The term “no strings” itself translates a carefree existence, both content and simplistic. Where “major depression is thought to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide” (Mental Health Foundation, 2013), the importance of wellbeing, both in the mental and physical sense, is increasingly relevant. The trend has evolved therefore in this pursuit of positivity, and the use of colour in the exhibition will be a significant translator of this. “Technology has created inescapable levels of connectivity” (Mintel, 2016) and has contributed to an extent to the rise of mental illness amongst millennials, the exhibition space will therefore have limited technological influences. The aim is to create a sense of togetherness, where people can connect physically and not via an app on their phone.
Influences X Holi Festival X Anish Kapoor X Wellbeing
“Man needs colour to live; it’s just as necessary an element as fire and water.” - Fernand Leger
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overview
I intend to hold the exhibition in a clear perspex box, roughly 6 metres by 6 metres in size. The transparency will truly display the variations of colour of the powder paint. Every individual that enters the pod will be therefore encouraged to throw the powder against the wall, at someone else, or at whatever they feel like.
sight
Incorporated into the room will be a white desk in the centre, and this is a where a projection of the fashion film will roll on loop. The film is a continuation of the thematics of the exhibition and the idea of balance is again heavily prevalent. The film however contrasts nature with the urban, to portray happiness from all angles and outlets. The overarching message is to get outside and off the LED screen.
A major inspiration behind the exhibition is Holi Festival. Holi is a Hindu spring Festival, also known as the festival of colours or festival of love. This tends to be a two-day affair, and consists of chasing people around throwing handfuls of coloured powder in the process. The idea that colour and love are interchangeable terms is fitting with the ideas behind No Strings Attached, and together they compliment each other. Building on this, I have also taken influence from the work of Anish Kapoor and his use of primary coloured powder in his pieces. The exhibition I am creating essentially will be a scaled down Holi Festival.