Team: Svanay Shen/ Moxue Jia/ Catherine Achieng / Zhaolu Song
Brief: Design an experience that externalises the nature of memory.
Research Methods: Artefacts Analysis & Directed Storytelling
Time: 20.11.2020-26.11.2020
Decorate Virtually
Considering all the feedback, we decided to decorate items virtually not physically. My idea was inviting others to make their own memory film based on their item stories.
Memory film workshop. Image by me.
Tutorial
We had a nice conversation with John, and he suggested us to concentrate on items and stories and keep it simple.
He showed us “Photogram”, which is a photographic image made without a camera by placing objects on light-sensitive materials. I’ve never heard about that and was excited to try this new method.
Photogram. Image by Google.
Photogram
We went to the darkroom workshop and explored three different methods.
1/ Making a photographic image by dipping it in chemical liquids in a darkroom.
2/ Putting items on light-sensitive paper and exposing them to light for 30mins.
3/ Using Sunprint paper which only needs five-mins exposure in strong sunlight.
Darkroom and Photogram. Photos by Svanay.
We made a photographic image in the darkroom successfully but it’s hard to be executed in our studio where can’t be totally dark. The second takes too long. For the last one, the indoor light might not be strong enough to make a clear image.
Considering these inevitable factors, we had to give up this idea sadly.
Another Try
After several discussions, we decided to keep our previous idea but will discard the audio and project moving images on people’s meaningful items instead.
Testing our projector. Photos by me and Moxue.
Testing process. Film by me.
Memory Film
We invited others to bring their meaningful old items and draw their memories on transparent papers to make memory films.
Alex is drawing his memory of his clock. Photo by Svanay.
Drawings of volunteers. Photo by me.
It’s really beautiful that the drawing overlapped with items and I felt very relieved seeing people enjoyed our workshop and were willing to share their valuable memories.
"Memory film". Film by me.
Feedback from others
“Projecting drawings on items makes me feel I’m in a museum and looking at an artistic memory installation.” – Sylvester.
“When the drawing begun moving, I feel like I’m watching a movie. It did remind me of my past experience.” – Alex.
Also, we got many useful suggestions, like it would be more interesting if we could make an immerse environment, trying other methods to make films than drawing and trying various materials to make the projector.
What I’ve learned
I really enjoyed our collaborative process though we had many obstacles in the beginning and failed some good ideas. It can’t be denied that learning from failure is definitely a good way to make progress. Besides, always keep curious, try new fields, and never give up a good idea until you tried it!
References
ePHOTOzine (2001) Making a photogram - traditional darkroom ideas. Available at: https://www.ephotozine.com/article/making-a-photogram---traditional-darkroom-ideas-4688 (Accessed: 24 November 2020).
Hafeez, A. and Aamir, M. (2014) Memory Retention and Recall Process. 1st edn. London: CRC Press.
Khambhala, N. (2016) How to Make a Projector using bulb at Home. 6 May. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWsHRgkzLU&t=233s (Accessed: 21 November 2020).
Widewalls Editorial (2016) Exploring the Photogram - How Does Cameraless Photography Work? Available at: https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/photogram-process-cameraless-photography (Accessed: 24 November 2020).
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