the void / a moment of clarity
DESCRIPTION
An exhibition design promoting awareness of Alzheimer's diseaseTRANSCRIPT
A MOMENT OF CLARITY
THE VOID
EXHIBITION DESIGN
CONTENTS
Concept
Effect & Experience
Materials
Measurements & Scale
This simple, yet effective installation re-creates the experience of being
able to recognise a person, object or location easily, and then suddenly
not being able to recognise anything at all. Often during the many stages
of Alzheimer’s disease, the sufferer will experience moments of clarity.
They may briefly recognise a family member, but then soon forget who
they are once more. This is one of the symptoms that makes Alzheimer’s
such a heartbreaking condition for the sufferer, and for their families.
The installation consists of a completely dark room, with a single glass
window. Upon entering, the viewer can see clearly through the window,
and may recognise people on the other side, either in the gallery where
the piece is likely to be exhibited, or any other location it may be placed
in. However, upon approaching the window, the glass will appear to cloud
over, transforming previously recognisable faces, or places into vague and
anonymous blurs.
This interactive installation re-positions the viewer as the Alzheimer’s
sufferer, becoming confused in the thick fog of their own minds, and no
longer being able to identify things that were once so familiar.
THE VOID / CONCEPT
The effect of this installation is to give the viewer the experience of beng
able to recognise someone one moment, and then not be able to identify
them the next. This is achieved through the use of Lumisty Film. Lumisty
is a special film that is completely clear when viewed from an angle, but
appears translucent when seen face on. The effect of this can be seen in
the following two slides
THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE
A demonstration of the effect of Lumisty Film using a
photograph, and a gradient from white to clear using
the opacity settings. You can see here that from the
front the film is translucent, but when viewed from a
side angle it provides a clear view.
Cutaway diagram exposing the window through which
the viewer experiences the effect of the installation
This image shows thr observers view upon first
entering the void. When viewed from this angle
the glass window appears perfectly clear.
THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE
This image shows the observers view when
facing the window straight on. From this
viewpoint the lumisty film causes the glass to
cloud over, transforming the outside world,
and making it very difficult for the observer to
recognise faces, objects or locations.
THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE
The materials needed for the construction of this piece are fairly basic.
A list of the primary materials is given bellow. However, this does not take
into consideration such miscellaneous items as hammers, screwdrivers,
nails, saws etc.
THE VOID / MATERIALS
Wall studwork with doorway partition x 1
Wall studwork with window partition x1
Blank wall studwork x 3 + 1 for ceiling
1. Plasterboard (thinkness 12.5mm). 10 sheets measuring 250cm x 250cm. £2.39
per square metre from Wicks. Total cost: £23.9
2. Studwork Timber (95 metres). 38 studs measuring 2.5m in length, with a depth
of 38mm, and a width of 89mm. £1.57 per metre from Wicks. Total cost: £149.15
Vertical studwork to be spaced between 400 – 600mm.
3. Glass window 60cm x 60cm.
4. Lumisty film 60cm x 60cm.
5. Vinyl matt paint (Black)
THE VOID / MEASUREMENTS & SCALE
The scale of the installation is large enough to accommodate one person
at a time. This provides the viewer with a more personal experience, and
encourages a greater emotional response to the piece. Measurements
and relative scale of figurers, windows, doors etc are approximate.
2.5 metres (8.2 ft)
6 ft (1.8 metres)
2.5 metres (8.2 ft)
6 ft (1.8 metres)
Door size 81cm x 203.cm
124cm 45cm
2.5 metres (8.2 ft)
Window size 60cm x 60cm