.module 1 Ly-Jane Wong Student No: 378629
Semester 2/2010
Group 7
The works within this module were inspired by the human form: its anatomy and its functions. The final design is: an abstract portrayal of the eye and the way it operates.
Segments from Pablo Piccasso's 'Bull' Series, 1945
EXPERIMENTATION: CREATING THE ABSTRACT
Piccasso's infamous'Bull' series of 11 prints documents the process of modifying and abstracting a portrait of a bull. Using a similar technique of simplification and abstraction, I traced the most prominent lines in detailed medical sketches of the human anatomy by Leonardo Da Vinci. This created distinct patterns that had very organic forms.
CONCEPT
1
This concept tied together elements of the human body – a technique reminiscent of bio-morphic architecture. It combines minimal elements of hairstyling, the cellular features of Fernando Romero's Tea Bridge House and the patterns produced through experimental abstract tracing.
MUSCLES & CELLS
Initial research was made into hair styling as hair is the lightest, most fluid part of a human. Therefore, it can create some interesting forms.
Tea Bridge House, Fernando Romero
The most rigid part of the human body is bone. The skeleton consists of bones and is the framework around which softer networks intertwine for support – for example muscles, veins and arteries. The skeletal chair proves that strength does not have to be conveyed with bulk. The slim legs look sturdy because of the way they are arrayed. This strategy can be used in the design in addition to facial bone structure [right].
Frank Gehry's and Zaha Hadid's creations [right] have structures that are fluid and light, as if suddenly frozen in mid-motion. The shapes are similar to the way muscle strands may be aligned. [Below] Screenshots taken from an experiment with hair. The dynamic feature of hair allows it to create interesting and unique forms when it is in motion. Outlines show very natural-looking outcomes, almost similar to the way water reacts in motion.
FLUID PRECEDENTS & DYNAMIC HAIR EXPERIMENTATION
CONCEPT
2
Rigid and Fluid structures are in constant interplay within the human system – for example bone and muscle This concept incorporates skull plates, facial muscles and bone in a cohesive manner. It also uses a shape discovered through the hair experiment, which adds to the dynamism of the “fluid” side of the model.
RIGIDITY & FLUIDITY
For the third concept, I decided then to focus on a more specific part of the body – the eyes. Initial drawings were literal translations of the eye – basically imitations of its shape or providing some sort of emphasis on the eyes.
CONCEPT
3
This concept is drawn from the idea of eyes and the way in which it sends images to the brain. Often, it can create optical illusions, such as the Cafe Wall Illusion, as seen on the Customs Building in Melbourne. By arranging black tiles in a zig-zag fashion, the parallel lines in between are given the illusion of curvature.
THE OPTICAL ILLUSION
For this 1:5 model, I used perspective tricks, such as elevated surfaces and apertures to create shadowing to simulate the use of black. Digitized version of The Cafe Wall Illusion
The back of the design resembles the extraocular muscles that control the eyeballs.
Many architects use portrusions to create optical effects, as seen on Star Place, a building in Taipei.
The Agora by Santiago Calatrava
DEVELOPMENT: ILLUSION I chose Concept 3: Illusion, because I liked the idea of a headpiece with a function that is not purely aesthetic. The shapes used within the piece would have a purpose. It will be an interesting mix of optical effects. Tmajority of optical illusions depend on colour or complex shapes. Therefore, I had to find the simplest monotonous form that can create complex optical effects. Santiago Calatrava demonstrates this perfectly with the Agora.
Lines, if positioned strategically, can create very powerful optical effects. Thus, I chose to change to a different optical effect, instead of using the blockish Cafe Wall Illusion. The issue of a contrasting colour is taken care of with the use of cut-outs. The white colour of the headpeice will be able to create shadow and contrast through the skin colour and hair colour of the wearer.
The developed concept creates a squared spiralling effect in both the front of back of the headpiece. However, they spiral in different directions. The eye reads information through flipping an image upside down before reflecting it back. The final design is similar in that the: Front: Spirals inwards, towards the face Back: Spirals outwards, away from the head Viewed sideways, the inversion and emergence will be obvious.
PROTOTYPE 1:1
COLLAGE The final design creates a sense of vertigo when looked at directly. The perspective of the viewer shifts, as the layout of the lines gives the illusion that the headpiece is actively spiraling inwards.
The design is avant garde and aesthetically appealing, whilst creating a sense of mystique. It and can be worn as an accessory, a mask or even, a modernistic wedding veil.