Statement of Intent

A conscious surface, our response to the brief ‘Speaking Surfaces’, where our material selection and dynamic design can speak for itself, hold its own, and inhabit others while being inhabited.

We have designed a compelling gallery space based on a living concept. We wanted to create a living breathing space that compliments the exhibits however still captivates the space and the viewers. We began by planning out how we could create a space which feels intimate, a breathing gallery. We originally looked at the use of linen and silk because of its delicate, malleable properties, the free flowing forms we originally planned to suspend however it felt much too literal, with the hope they would compress and expand with the bodily movement and air flow within the space. We considered how we could make better use of materials which are less literal and expand the concept further.

We began to look at wood, ply in particular due to its adaptability. We considered wood to be relevant to our theme because of its previous life. It has a living, breathing history so not only breathes within the space, but also tells a story, so our surfaces “speak”. In order to decide how we best wanted to create a space that would identify compression, expansion, and other elements of living, we brainstormed what it means to be alive and breathing. We narrowed down our concept to movement, change over time, and warmth. We knew after this our space needed to be dynamic, warm, and consider how light filters through the space.

After exploring different plywood forms we could use to create a changing space, we delved into the “living hinge”. The living hinge is a way of manipulating wood in order to create movement and bend the material. This was perfect for our gallery as it showed movement and was able to be manipulated by the viewers and exhibitors to fit their needs/wants, as well as matching our concept. We designed our prompts with a multitude of different living hinge designs, all carefully crafted to bend at different forces and alter in flexibility. Our place to sit is a confined cubby space embedded within the center wall. This recessed space provides a retreat for visitors, allowing them to feel as though they are stepping outside of the gallery into a more private space to view the art work whilst having a moment to pause and ponder.

We have created curved stool or table like designs, in two different sizes, containing the living hinge design. These could be used to answer multiple prompts depending on how the artists or viewers respond to them. They could be something to sit around, something to sit on, something to speak from, as well as something to draw on.

We designed screens which are fluid and movable in regard to where they can be placed, as well as their form due to the use of the living hinge. This gives both the viewers and the artists the ability to manipulate and adjust the screens in order to accommodate their needs, whether that be projecting or hanging something on it. These screens also act as potential light filters, with 2 door entries and 3 natural light sources in the space, the curators can choose to curtain over the large windows, or use these screens to filter the light from all 3 directions depending on the art and need for projection space.

On the opposite side of the center wall, we have placed strips of one of our living hinge designs. This wall, like the screens, has the ability to be manipulated in shape in order to meet an artists needs. Also providing the opportunity for the hanging or projection of artwork, but also allowing the viewer to push and interact with the space, by exerting a force on to one end of the wall the other side will then bend and protrude out.

The implementation of light into our prompts enables activation of the living hinge while emitting a warm and lively glow generating shadows thus activating the space as the light filters through it. The fluidity of our prompts allows for both viewers and artists to move and adapt them as required. In order to illustrate this we generated some renders as well as a durational movement map which suggests how the space may change, how people may move, and how the prompts may move throughout a day of the space being alive.