THE LADY IN THE LOOKING GLASS

A novel by Virginia Woolf

After exploring the subjective journey crossing the 5 centuries in Orlando, I chose this novel, hoping to explore the mutual influence between the journey of consciousness and objective facts. In this project, I made the collages in four themes more structurally, and has developed a series of visual logic. In the contrast between reality and illusion, want to try a set method that cooperates with screen and stage. The prerecorded screen production can better show the unreal scene in consciousness, and I present my concept with digital renderings.

Date: Nov. 2021

- Sketchings: Three Set Of Watching BACKGROUND RESEARCH

-Script Breakdown

- Theme And Mood Board - Concept

Two sets of relationships

Letters delievered Time Line

He is watching Isabella in the living room

REAL WORLD IMAGINATION

Thinking about her social identity and appearance

“Putting oneself in her shoes” Isabella comes back showing her true image

The Lady in the Looking Glass by Virginia Woolf tells the story of a narrator sitting in the living room, observing and imagining Isabella Tyson through a mirror with constantly changing ideas.

-Research On The Concept Of Speculating

From other perspective/distance/method See through a media Showing on a media

1st Possibility: Isabella And Herself

Isabella thinking about herself simulating other's perspective

The narrator with the real Isabella passing outside the window

The narrtor with Isabella in his imagination

3rd Possibility: The Narrator And Isabella

2nd Possibility: Mirror And Isabella

According to Jean-Paul Sartre, in the experience of myself being watched, being objectified, and no longer free, that the transcendence and the freedom of others are revealed. Therefore, the theme chose is to let Isabella as the object to be watched to explore the flow of free thoughts. As showing in the third concept.

BEING WATCHED Near

WATCH Real External Still

Sketches: How watching is presented

Imagination Internal Flowing Far

I want to explore the conscious journey of speculating Isabella as the object of imagination from the narrator.

The real world Outside constantly occurring events that affect the mind

Illusory world Inside scenes shifting by the flowing mind.

Design Development

Figure Board

Showing the throught process of Isabella during his changing perspectives and facts as the narrator is writing a journal.

Spatial Board

The collage shows the living room where the narrator is located, and the screen on the back shows the image of Isabella. She and the environment around her will appear within the scope of a golden mirror, as a visual presentation of the narrator's inner world.

Showing how interior interact with exterior on set.

Iteration - Set Developing Process - Technique Drawing

Explore the way of combining Screen - Imaginary Space and Stage The Real Room, and gradually divided them in 2 parts.

- Research on screen representation

Showing a different world or an extension of the real scene

- A luxury but dull living room where the narrator is located

- Highlight the important objects as the narrator observed

- The mirror hinting the relationship of room and the garden Interior Room Board

Outside Garden Board

- Still and quiet feeling for the whole scene with each part flowing and uncotrollable as the mind

- The mirror as an entrance to the other space

Final Iteration - Fan Stage Configuration

Plan

Figure Design Development

The mysterious and charming Isabella and the type of characters who may be related to her are presented, creating the image of a high-class lady that fits the narrator's initial imagination of her.

Social Image of Isabella

Also explores what the real isabella looks like, conveying an image of ageing and fading lady, and a narrator who loves to observe and think and collecting inspirations.

Narratively Scenes

In this scene reference collage of the picture, simulate the development process of the play. Between the real event of Isabella leaving the living room, and the postman delivering the letter, to Isabella's return, interspersed with imaginary scenes in the narrator's mind, thinking about Isabella's life, socialization and death.