THE VOID
A MOMENT OF CLARITY EXHIBITION DESIGN
CONTENTS Concept
Effect & Experience
Materials
Measurements & Scale
THE VOID / CONCEPT This simple, yet effective installation re-creates the experience of being able to recognise a person, object or location easily, and then suddenly not being able to recognise anything at all. Often during the many stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the sufferer will experience moments of clarity. They may briefly recognise a family member, but then soon forget who they are once more. This is one of the symptoms that makes Alzheimer’s such a heartbreaking condition for the sufferer, and for their families. The installation consists of a completely dark room, with a single glass window. Upon entering, the viewer can see clearly through the window, and may recognise people on the other side, either in the gallery where the piece is likely to be exhibited, or any other location it may be placed in. However, upon approaching the window, the glass will appear to cloud over, transforming previously recognisable faces, or places into vague and anonymous blurs. This interactive installation re-positions the viewer as the Alzheimer’s sufferer, becoming confused in the thick fog of their own minds, and no longer being able to identify things that were once so familiar.
THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE The effect of this installation is to give the viewer the experience of beng able to recognise someone one moment, and then not be able to identify them the next. This is achieved through the use of Lumisty Film. Lumisty is a special film that is completely clear when viewed from an angle, but appears translucent when seen face on. The effect of this can be seen in the following two slides
A demonstration of the effect of Lumisty Film using a photograph, and a gradient from white to clear using the opacity settings. You can see here that from the front the film is translucent, but when viewed from a side angle it provides a clear view. Cutaway diagram exposing the window through which the viewer experiences the effect of the installation
THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE
This image shows thr observers view upon first entering the void. When viewed from this angle the glass window appears perfectly clear.
THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE
This image shows the observers view when facing the window straight on. From this viewpoint the lumisty film causes the glass to cloud over, transforming the outside world, and making it very difficult for the observer to recognise faces, objects or locations.
THE VOID / MATERIALS The materials needed for the construction of this piece are fairly basic. A list of the primary materials is given bellow. However, this does not take into consideration such miscellaneous items as hammers, screwdrivers, nails, saws etc.
1. Plasterboard (thinkness 12.5mm). 10 sheets measuring 250cm x 250cm. £2.39 per square metre from Wicks. Total cost: £23.9 2. Studwork Timber (95 metres). 38 studs measuring 2.5m in length, with a depth of 38mm, and a width of 89mm. £1.57 per metre from Wicks. Total cost: £149.15 Vertical studwork to be spaced between 400 – 600mm. Wall studwork with window partition x1 3. Glass window 60cm x 60cm. 4. Lumisty film 60cm x 60cm. 5. Vinyl matt paint (Black)
Blank wall studwork x 3 + 1 for ceiling
Wall studwork with doorway partition x 1
THE VOID / MEASUREMENTS & SCALE 2.5 metres (8.2 ft)
The scale of the installation is large enough to accommodate one person
6 ft (1.8 metres)
at a time. This provides the viewer with a more personal experience, and encourages a greater emotional response to the piece. Measurements and relative scale of figurers, windows, doors etc are approximate. Window size 60cm x 60cm
Door size 81cm x 203.cm
2.5 metres (8.2 ft) 6 ft (1.8 metres)
124cm
45cm
2.5 metres (8.2 ft)