Recently in collaborative projects - Regis East atrium Category

As we begin to explore our response to the experience of being in Regis Center for Art, the atrium space of the East building has attracted the attention of the group as a site for ephemeral transformations.

Post your ephemeral transformation/s concept/s using any media forms that most effectively convey your idea and the sensibility that is important to you. Refer to the reading from Eyes of the Skin to reflect upon the sensory experiences engaged in the ephemeral transformation that you propose.

My idea is to create a number of helium filled donuts shapes that will be suspended from lines connected to the ceiling. The goal would be to create a balloon "forest" that , over a number of days, will slowly settle closer to the ground as the helium leaks from the balloons. The balloons could have elaborate patterned surface decoration.

Using the large steel beams that run east/west in the ceiling of Regis East (that the large lamps are suspended from) I propose to suspend a simple wood and nylon rope swing in the cafe area. Ideally, I would replace the tables and chairs with several of these swings placed throughout as the beams permitted. This would still allow for seating and yet the strange placement and oversized nature of the swings would encourage playfulness and wonder at how transformational it could be.

In order to improve the space in the East Regis building, I would propose to add some music, color, and more lounging chairs. The music would be loud enough in order to add life to the atmosphere, but quiet enough to allow most people to continue to use the area as a studying space. I personally enjoy places such as coffee shops and cafés to study, because the white noise is calming and helps me concentrate better.

In addition to music, I would want to add color in the form of plants, whether they are fake or not, or some sort of colored lighting. I was inspired by the Institute of Art in Minneapolis, and how they use lights at night that project onto the gigantic white pillars. Color would grab attention and invite people to the space.

Last but not least, I would want to add inflatable chairs. These chairs could take many forms; such as, inner-tubes, spheres, semi-spheres, actual chair structures, or inflatable rectangular prisms. The materials would be out of thick plastic that would hopefully not deflate or puncture easily. Each chair would be shaped and colored differently. Along with chairs there could be the possibility of adding foot-rests and blow-up table-like structures to add to the convenience of lounging in this area.

My goal is to make the Regis Art building a place where commuters want to study and people that live nearby want to meet.

Regis East could use hammocks!

Regis East is very open and spacious. Using this openness and inserting opportunity to relax and contemplate the beautiful light and openness of the space would be valuable.

I believe students, faculty and others are in need of rest, relaxation, and play. Hammocks are very light and portable and inspire carefree play when compared to beds.

The logistics as to where such structures could be suspended is still in progress.

Including a teleporter in Regis would be extremely fun and exciting.

Of course, the whole project would be approached with comedy and imagination.

I was imagining fabricating a teleporter. This could look like a cylindrical tube made of fabric.

kinda like this...
(but with a solid non-translucent fabric)

or it could be more imagined with just a simple platform to stand on...like this...

either way, I believe a teleporter could be funny, playful, and encourage childhood imagination and humbleness. Using suspension of disbelief allows participants to extend the physical object into an experience which can be personal to their imaginations.

I think it would be useful to include an informational brochure or sign which could describe the teleporter.

This object could be mobile and move locations throughout Regis East and West... and perhaps other places too!

here's a song about teleporters!

Some key ideas to explore.

Personal Space/Public Space/Shared Space
Viewers concept of personal space, as opposed to their concept of public space. What might happen when objects in a public space intrude upon a persons personal space.
How could have happen?
What am I considering personal space?
How would I like to violate that space?
How do I do so in a why that is interesting and engaging without being irritating and annoying.
Ideas of shared space and spaces that could be linked for sharing.
Can two, non-adjacent spaces, be connected and shared?

Composite Space?
Ideas of shared space and spaces that could be linked for sharing.
Can two, non-adjacent spaces, be connected and shared?
How would a person feel about sharing a "composite" space?

Composite spaces? Additive spaces? "Folded" spaces, from book, if universe is a sheet, and places can touch when they touch by being folded together.

Spatial awareness
Chilling/heat?
Bursts of air?
Light?
Vibration?

Technological "Magic"
What is the quote about technology versus magic...

Here we have some evidence of success. I've gotten lots of comments from people that include adjectives like "fantastic' and "amazing".
Working title is: Devices for the Aerial Investigation of Public Space
Collaborative team: Tony Carton, Daniel Dean, Meena Mangalvedhekar, Emily Stover

- photo by Kara Harm
IMG_3110.MOVvid by daniel dean

Group: Paula, Ellen, and Elisa

Our project ideas evolved a lot as we worked on it over the last three weeks. Our current installation is loosely based around the concept of throwing a party in the area. We were interested in changing the "feel" of the atrium which had been slightly colder and impersonal to something that was more exciting, happy, and engaging. We chose to mimic the shape of the other installed hammocks slightly by hanging bright swags of fabric in the space. We also wanted to create a corridor that people would have to slow down and walk through - and while doing that interact with the party (possibly being showered in glitter)

Pictures to come -