Our bridge 4 assignment was a research-based project in which we had to pick one of the following themes:
Mimicry, Disguise, Cultural Appropriation, Science Fiction
Once our theme was picked, as a group we had to settle down on one argument that would inspire the Exhibition we had to develop. Having an argument, we would each do our own research of artists amongst the theme chosen and in the end, narrow down a few that had related ideas or similarities that matched our theme (these artists, in the end, would be the artists that we would include in the exhibition).
My Group
Our group decided on the theme of Science Fiction given no one had chosen it and we figured it would be a very interesting subject to explore with. We divided our exhibition into 4 parts. To be more specific; 4 parts within the world of “art”. These include MOTION PICTURE – FASHION – ARCHITECTURE – FINE ARTS
My Individual Section – Motion Picture
I broke down 3 of my favorites directors from the Science Fiction genre and did research on them and their work.
JJ ABRAMS
STEVEN SPIELBERG
TIM BURTON
Curatorial Statement For Exhibition
We all had to focus on one part of the curatorial statement & my part was the introduction. The curatorial statement serves as a text that conveys the general idea of the exhibition we planned, along with making clear as to what our argument is. OUR ARGUMENT: “We Are An Impossibility In An Impossible World”
Theme: Science Fiction
Argument: We are an impossibility in an impossible world
Exhibition Name: “Let Us Think The Unthinkable”
Sections:
- Fashion (Zili)- Hussein Chalayan, Iris ven Herpen, Alexander Mcqueen
- Fine Arts (Cristina)– Andree Wallin, Alexandra V Bach, Dan Luvisi.
- Motion Picture (Sasha) –J. Abrams, Tim Burton, Steven Speilberg
- Architecture and 3D art (Yasmeen) –Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, U-ram Choe
Introduction:
Science Fiction takes on the absurd along with modern day facts, and creates a word of extraordinary chaos. An imagined future based on scientific facts, technological advances, and major social or environmental shifts. Science Fiction sounds irrational and absurd, but we will never truly know the limits of the senseless and the absurd. The senseless and the absurd could be reality. This exhibition will open your eyes to a new world. A world where you will ask yourself “what if all this actually occurs?” This will make you realize that there are already aspects of a “Science Fiction” world in our current world; raising the question of: is the 21st Century already becoming a “science fiction” world? Witnessing and observing things in our world and society that have evolved tremendously since the past could imply the start of a “Science Fiction” world for us. In this exhibition you will see science fiction implied in architecture and fashion to open your eyes to how science fiction is in our current world, constantly surrounding us yet we are too oblivious to notice the future is happening now. You will also be exposed to the hyperbolic version of science fiction derived from artists within fine arts and motion pictures to show how limitless and eerie the levels of science fiction in one’s mind can be. Our imagination has become so vivid that it has allowed for the outbreak of science to achieve things that were considered impossible. In this exhibition, you will reconsider the limitations of the so-called “impossibilities”. After all, we are impossibilities in an impossible world.
Artworks & Artists:
For this exhibition we decided to divide the different fields that exist within science fiction. Our fields are fashion, motion picture, fine arts and architecture (more detailed explanation will be given when al research is obtained).
Fashion:
Hussein Chalayan –
Hussein Chalayan, a fashion designer based in London, has a strongly influential approach to the instruments of fashion design and exhibition. Chalayan creates images that reflect diverse aspects of humanity at a large scale. On the other hand, Chalayan deals with the modern interiors, urban architecture, and geometric structures and the social issues. Chalayan searches his imagery from several different media. Also, together with Chalayan’s technique and his use of fashion’s frequent change of erogenous zones around the female body occurring in response to change ideas creates realistic and romantic affection at the same time.
“Hussein Chalayan.” Dezeen Magazine. Accessed November 29, 2015.
http://www.dezeen.com/2013/03/06/rise-by-hussein-chalayan/.
Iris van Herpen
Iris van Herpen, who is based in Amsterdam, is known for her distinctive, eccentric pictorial language. She moves between different media, from mixed media paintings to sound works through innovative experiments with materials, techniques, and technologies, sometimes fusing them all in a complete collection that creates the illusion of separate individual world from fashion. Her style is quite isolated and not often easily accessible. Her collections feature futuristic characters from the invention with hints of existing real personalities. Iris van Herpen mixes facts and fictions in fascinating ways.
Iris Van Herpen about… Iris Van Herpen. Accessed November 29, 2015.
http://www.irisvanherpen.com/about.
Alexander McQueen
British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen, always starts every collection with an idea or a concept for the runway exhibition before the fashions. After the concept, McQueen has an elaborate storyboard with allusions (art, film, music) and indicates his inspirations are from everywhere. The real creative developments regarding the clothes themselves are designed directly on the mannequin during a fitting. Therefore, fittings for McQueen are incredibly essential.
Biography.com Editors, ed. “Alexander McQueen Biography.” Bio. Accessed November 29, 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/alexander-mcqueen-541384.
Fine Arts:
Andree Walli
Andree Wallin started his commissioned work in 2006 and was able to continue his profession as a full time job in 2008. Ever since then, he has worked as a matte painter and a concept artist for many well known titles like Dirt 3, Dj Hero and Oblivion. He is a concept artist and director/producer who mainly works with commercials and films and is an expert in concept/pre-vis art as well as high-end promo art such as movie posters magazine covers and billboards. His clients are Universal, Warner Bros., Disney, Digital Domain, MPC, Blur, Legendary Pictures among many others. Some of his notorious work pieces are ‘Big Robots’, ‘Deep Impact’, and ‘Downtown’. His recent work includes the video ‘State Zero – Post Apocalyptic Short’ and paintings featured in the new Stars Wars promo video.
-Falcon, Alvaris. “36 Epic Looking Sci-fi Artworks.” Hongkiat. Accessed December 1, 2015. http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/sci-fi-artwork/.
Dan LuVisi
Dan LuVisi is a digital concept artist who works in the video game, film and comic book industry. Dan has lived in Los Angeles since 2008, and is currently working in Feature Film/Science Fiction movies with 20th fox century and with the comic book industry. He has worked for many of the biggest companies in the field. Some of his most famous works are Batman and Superman for DC Comics. Dan has also worked for Hasbro, FOX, Microsoft Universal, among a number of other gaming companies. His style is very versatile and he likes new challenges; he is known to be an expert in Character & Costume Design, Matte Paintings, Storyboards, Poster & Packaging Design. LuVisi has a number of fans on the online art community called ‘Deviant Art’ because of his original creations on characters like Spider-Man & Venom, Iron Man, King Kong, Jack Sparrow and the Joker.
“DAN LUVISI.” DAN LUVISI ART. 2009. Accessed December 2, 2015. http://danluvisiart.com/aboutdan.html.
Alexandra V Bach
Alexandra V Bach has been a freelance digital artist and illustrator for over a decade. She creates dark and beautiful fantasy themed artworks for books, cd covers and video games. Bach works with mixed media by using photographs, photography and digital painting to bring her creations to life. Her inspiration comes from fantasy, gothic and baroque sources, and uses techniques such as photomanipulation.
She has also worked as a CD cover and book cover artist for more than ten years. In 2013 Bach joined Applibot, Inc (Japan) as a character designer for the application game ‘Legend of the Cryptids’. Her dark fantasy/gothic art has been licensed as posters over USA and Europe, as well as book covers published by renown publishers in France. As a CD artist she has done work for Anneke van Giersbergen, Stream of Passion, and Kamelot, among others.
-“The Digital Fantasy Art of Alexandra V Bach.” The Digital Fantasy Art of Alexandra V Bach. Accessed December 2, 2015. http://www.this-is-cool.co.uk/the-digital-fantasy-art-of-alexandra-v-bach/.
-“Support Alexandra V. Bach Creating Dark Fantasy Art.” Patreon. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.patreon.com/alexandravbach?ty=h.
Architecture and 3D art:
Zaha Hadid:
Zaha Hadid is an Iraqi-born British architect who is one of the most famous living architects of today’s world. She is known for having a very futuristic and technology-inspired style in her work. Hadid takes design to another level by incorporating technology and she always goes above and beyond what is expected of her. One of her famous works, the Chaoyangmen SOHO in Beijing, China is a great example of some of the science fiction inspiration she uses in her work. It has a very futuristic and modern look to it which links back to science fiction.
“Zaha Hadid Architects.” Lomholt, Isabelle. Accessed December 2, 2015. http://www.e-architect.co.uk/architects/zaha-hadid
Renzo Piano:
Renzo Piano is an Italian architect most known for his high-tech designs and architecture. His interest in technology and modern architecture showed through his works. One of his futuristic-looking works is the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre in New Caledonia has become a famous architectural sight for tourists. The graceful and detailed design of the building’s shell has gained a lot of attention throughout the years.
Zukowsky, John. “Renzo Piano | Italian Architect.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Accessed December 2, 2015. http://www.britannica.com/biography/Renzo-Piano.
U-ram Choe:
U-ram Choe is a contemporary artist from South Korea who works with kinetic sculpture. His work is mostly inspired by the physical realm, with his use of celestial bodies to earthly organisms. Through his intricate kinetic sculptures, Choe combines delicacy and beauty to mechanical objects such as machines, motors, and steel. The forms he identifies his sculptures with come off as something familiar but also seem otherworldly. His alien-like sculptures relate to the science fiction theme.
-“U-Ram Choe – 40 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy.” U-Ram Choe – 40 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.artsy.net/artist/u-ram-choe.
Motion Picture:
JJ Abrams
J.J. Abrams was born in New York City on June 27, 1966, and went on to do film screenwriting during his college days. He has created several hit TV series, including Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe, and has also done much production and directing work. He helmed 2006’s Mission Impossible III and the 2009 revamping of Star Trek. Abrams also directed Super 8 and Star Trek Into Darkness, and is on board to direct Star Wars: Episode VII. Abrams is known for his extensive use of lens flare and emphasizing scenes with those.
Bio.com. Accessed December 9, 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/jj-abrams-21127769.
Steven Spielberg
He is considered the most commercially successful filmmaker in Hollywood history. Spielberg was born on December 18, 1946, in Cincinnati, OH. Jaws, which truly cemented his reputation as a rising star is known as the most successful film of 1975. American director, producer and screenwriter. Spielberg is considered as one of the founding pioneers of the New Hollywood era, as well as being viewed as one of the most popular and influential directors and producers in film history.
Accessed December 9, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/112325/Steven-Spielberg/biography.
Tim Burton
He is a film director, producer, artist, writer, and animator. He is known for his dark, gothic, macabre and quirky horror and fantasy films. Tim Burton was born on August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California. he worked as a Disney animator for less than a year before striking out on his own.
Bio.com. Accessed December 9, 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/tim-burton-9542431#recent-projects
Context:
“Let Us Think The Unthinkable” is the name for this cornerstone that binds together decades of art, ideas and social theory. Artificial intelligence, isolation, and imagination of the future are the main subjects of the exhibition. This exhibition shows the future as an experience of masses, and uniqueness of experiences recorded by the collection of designs. It recreates symbolism in order to construct the future cultural identities.
Life-sized holograms, non-synthetic and synthetic materials, body movement, 3D printing, and ideas representing nature in the future, are some features that will be used to construct a modern world exhibition. The juxtaposition of the artworks articulates a world united in a nonhierarchical assembly of science fiction collections. According to John Berger’s philosophy, “in a way, we are alone in the world,” related to these designers and their works since they are precise and self-contained, and human subjects are isolated, no more nor less important than these collections.
Expanded significance/Intent:
The relation between the future and art is isolation. Science fiction is a name which has been used to classify people’s imagery or what is actually fake as a possible reality. Images of the future products also show another side of development. The show also deals with the imagination theme, the idea of a next world, that will become one big space without any artistic differences but unique experiences. This exhibition deals with the theme of fiction as it portrays an imagined future rich in scientific and technological advances, that will cause major social and environmental changes, frequently representing space or time travel and life on other planets.
The Model
To make this assignment more vivid and realistic, we were told to build a model of the exhibition (where it took place, how the room looked with the artworks,etc). We decided to locate our exhibition at the Museum Of Natural History because it would be a very interesting contrast; the idea of historic facts vs science fiction ideas based on theories and questions of ‘what if’.
The Blog
A blog was created to apply all of the above information. Aesthetically, we made sure the blog perfectly mirrored the purpose of the exhibition, along with the atmosphere it generates. A scenic, eerie and intriguing environment.
Link: http://sciencefictionbridge4.tumblr.com/
