In this installation, all specific information was removed from the entire 4th floor of FAC.
Artist Statement: This piece is meant to make the viewers think about the labeling of space and how much they rely on this information instead of relying on their own ability to discover their surroundings."
I for one rely heavily on directions in unfamiliar places. It forces us to look for people, either to ask for direction or find who we are looking for. I get in a panic sometimes when I cant find what I am looking for. This reminds me of Tate Page, that building is labeled but it is like a muse. Do people wander around aimlessly or has this caused more interaction?
ReplyDeleteAs the artist these are a few of my favorite remarks I received during the critique on this piece:
ReplyDelete-- "It really shows how dependent people are on directions --- even people who practically live here are second guessing their everyday intuitive movement through the space."
-- "It was an odd feeling knowing that I had so fully relied on signage. ... My awareness has increased my having to rely on information I should already know after four plus years at Western."
-- "For some, I can imagine that this is incredibly frustrating. But isn't that what college is about? Isn't that what life is about? We don't have signs and arrows telling us where to go, what to do, who we are."
You are bringing up an interesting and thoughtful consideration with this piece. I would have loved to see people's reactions to something so subtle, yet very noticeable. After spending time traveling abroad, an ability to pay attention to one's surroundings is crucial in finding one's way. However, when we are in a familiar space tunnel vision often sets in. I think this piece is very successful in forcing viewers to become more aware of their surroundings through the very subtle changes to something familiar. The responses you received about veteran occupants seconding guessing themselves enforces this. Your consideration to match and blend coloring on the signs is well done. My heart goes out to the poor freshman students you had wandering around aimlessly by removing room numbers.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to see this done on a large scale. What happens when there are no longer guides or informational signs on an entire campus? The possibilities are endless...