On this post I document and reflect on the making process of the piece I would like to exhibit at the festival.
The plan:
I would like to create something that englobes the process, the emotion, and the main elements of my project. Therefore I know that I want to include a map of Venice (which is where everything takes place), and things that symbolise the 5 different categories found on the map: Artisan, church, museum, historical fact, legend.
Thus, as part of the physical show, I would like to exhibit an installation comprising 3 parts:
- A print of a map of Venice hung on a wall (this has changed, it now a stylised version of the tourist routes)
- 5 layers of transparent sheets (each with a different design) that will hang or be held in front of the map
- A screen showing a demonstration of the app
The map of Venice is key because it is at the centre of my project. I have been mapping the city and finding out about its history and hidden corners while using it to support and built my interventions.
The 5 layers represent the process I had to go through to gather all the research. 5 is also the number of cultural categories showcased on the map: museums, artisans, random historical facts, churches, legends. Hence, I would like each layer’s design to convey one category.
The fact that they are not directly placed on top of the map and can be seen both separately or as a whole, conveys the beauty and importance of each element in the creation of a project.
The map combined with the 5 layers englobe my venture as a whole and showcase what the app contains.
Planning and executing the first test:
I thought it could be a good idea to design the map of Venice in a way that shows the problematic tourist route areas, while highlighting that Venice is so much more than those routes. Therefore, I thought that the first layer could be a white page with only a stylised version of the tourist routes, which I would like to be dark and threatening to appeal to the emotions.
Each of the 5 subsequent layers will have a portion of the city, which is not included in the tourist routes to show that there is way more that many people choose to see.
I designed a map, which I wanted intricate, sleek, and professional looking. Below are some examples of the different layers (4 out of 6). The base layer bottom right (tourist routes). When aligned they are supposed create a complete map of Venice.
Once I had this design, I decided to test it on a small scale with A4 see through paper, which can be printed on.
When placed on top of each other
I found that the reflective properties of the paper may become a problem as it was very har to photograph it. Furthermore, the tourist routes did not stand out very well. Perhaps that using another colour may help.
I thought about leaving it simple like this but it may be more interesting to add on each layer something unique that characterises the category it is conveying. To highlight the rich history and culture of Venice, I thought of including characteristics found on old maps, each layer adding something new.
Historical facts could be represented by ships. Legends by a sea monster. Museums by an image of Doge… This is still something I am working on, I am not too sure how how to covey churches and artisans in a subtle way that would be in harmony with and old map design.
Challenges:
- Designing the layers in a way that they each add something, without overwhelming the work as a whole.
- Harmoniously adding elements of old maps avoided caricatures and cheesiness
- Thinking about how the installation is going to be lit as the refection of the paper may become problematic.
- I think that finding a way to display the installation is going to be the most challenging part, as I have not yet been assigned a space. It would have been easier to be able to hang the layers from the ceiling but I do not think it will possible as they are too high in CSM. Other options include having each layer supported by two pieces that go to the ground (image 1), or displaying them on a table all placed on a different drawer, which can be removed to see the layers individually (image 2). I could also display them attached to the wall lie (image 3). Furthermore, the paper lacks structure, which may compel me to frame it.
1 2 3
Further developing the layers:
I started adding elements to my original design, things that would reflect each category’s uniqueness. I wondered which map elements I could include on each layers:
- Legends: a sea monster (wonder)
- Historical facts: ships (to represent the importance of Venice’s trade history)
- Artisans: to be decided
- Museums: to be decided
- Churches: clock towers roof designs
Churches:
I wanted to find a way to represent this category in way that matched the style of the app and that wasn’t too obvious, like a cross. Therefore, since my map is flat and has not perspective, I thought I could play with architectural components of churches. The one element that appears almost every time is the bell tower. The roofs have characteristic shapes that can subtly refer to the places of worship on my map.
I went on google maps and screenshotted various churches that are away from the tourist routes from an areal view, thinking I could trace them on adobe illustrator. Her are some examples:
However, the quality is really bad, and it would take me a very long time to trace each one (there are 30 in total). I was advised by architect Alan lock (more about him in Epxerts’ input) to use Rhinoceros 3D for architectural rendering. According to him, it was easier to get 3d model of Venice bell towers on the 3D Warehouse website, keep the top view of the tower and then transfer it to adobe illustrator. We scheduled a zoom call and did that together.
They ended up looking like the picture below. There is still some editing to do such as lecture and colour so that they pop on the map.
I know that such structures do not appear in old maps, but I still think that there structure is fascinating and that it subtly relate to a side of Venice’s history, without being too obvious about it.
Once I had those ready, I started adding them to the map. I quite like the look of them but I thing I should find a way to made them stand out more. They will probably have to be made thicker and in another colour.
Historical facts:
To represent historical facts on the map, I thought to add vintage looking ships all over. When you look at old Venice maps, the lagoon is always very busy with ships, boats, and gondolas. They symbolise the strength of the Republic, its trading power, its dynamism, and life. My main inspiration for this was the map below.
I found vector images of old ships, which matched the aesthetic I was going for. I cleaned them up a little and started adding them to the map. Their shade does not quite go with the rest of the map yet, so it is something I need to experiment with. Overall, they add life to the composition.
Legends:
For this category I was thinking about adding a depiction of the sort of sea monster found on old maps to emphasise the dream-like enchantments of legends. Something like this…
The I remembered that one of the legends featuring on the app is about a mermaid. Therefore, I decided that having an old representation of a mermaid would be a good way to link this layer back to the app.
So here is how it look so far:
The visuals can definitely be improved, but I think I am on the right track.
Possible way to exhibit the installation:
I may have found a more simple and convenient way to display the installation. Instead of setting up contraptions attached to the ceiling or walls (CSM might not appreciate) I found that I could use poster stands that would be placed in a line. This also fixes my floppiness problem as my sheets will be secured between two acrylic stands.
I had a look online and found two A3 styled that I like. A portrait style one with black frames and a simple landscape stand.
The framed one looks very ecstatically pleasing, however, the portrait style does not really match with how I have designed the map (maps are usually landscape). Therefore, I would have to adapt my material to this format.
The simple landscape stand is not as fancy looking but has the format I originally intended. Thankfully, i still have some time to decide.