Intentions
I want my project to be a tale of survival and mutual aid. What does it actually mean to be safe and comfortable in a city like Dhaka? I am fascinated by how safe and quite Stockholm and Copenhagen was when I visited them. Even Berlin, with all it’s life, noise and chaos, gave me a sense of safety. I find it fascinating how Berlin is home to such a diverse set of societies. What does it cost to achieve this kind of safety? Perhaps, for a country that is struggling to survive financially- its capital cannot afford to follow the footsteps of any European countries. In fact, I find one of the reasons behind the current situation in Dhaka is that all our infrastructures and support systems are copied from “Western” countries, and often fails to account for the nature of Dhaka’s own citizens. So, what does it mean to create a safe space in a city that is so densely populated and financially struggling?
I see the formations of micro communities that reach out to and provide support for people – a network of people who suffers from similar crisis and mental health issues and stands for supporting people around them who are suffering just the same. Perhaps a heterotopia that is made through social bonds and shared times – not physical structures.
However, how can this sense of social support, and safety be portrayed visually in animation?
Sources and References
To get inspiration I looked into books about architecture to understand how architects design spaces and transform them to a place with a function. Can the same effects be achieved through animation and video art? Perhaps, works of video artists like Nam June Paik and Krzysztof Wodiczko can guide my way through. I also found an episode of the Netflix series “Midnight Gospel” which was relevant to my project.
The Explosion of Space: Architecture and the Filmic Imaginary on JSTOR
Analysing Architecture
It offers a unique ‘notebook’ of architectural strategies
to present an engaging introduction to elements and concepts in architectural design.
Krzysztof Wodiczko – Art, Culture, and Technology (ACT)
using architectural facades and monuments as backdrops for nearly thirty years.
Discussion
In designing architecture, the architects are considerate of how we experience the feelings of space -how the scale, light, colors, materials and other elements can be arranged in space to transform it into a place that can make us feel safe, comfortable and even anxious and insignificant. In film and video, many filmmakers and artists have played with these elements to mimic these effects make us experience space in screen.
Can these same techniques be expanded to make an animated installation that can make you feel safe? I need to read more and perhaps consult experts in these fields and gain more nuanced perspective on the subject.
Experiments
I want to experiment with abstract animated images, and three panel projection to create a video installation to create an immersive experience of my animation project. Perhaps VR can help me with the production, and I find potential in Blender Grease pencil tools as well. However, I do not want the project to be displayed in VR because it is important for me to create an immersive experience without creating another confined space. Perhaps, under camera animation with traditional media and other materials can also help me produce the visuals that can express the feelings of safety and comfort.
From the coursework and practices done during the first semester, I find these pieces I could develop further to find the solution to this portion of the project.