Reflection

Tell a little something about how you feel now that this challenge has past?

From brainstorming of ideas to the actual realization of the work is a long and daunting process. Many of times I would feel stuck when I was trying to push my idea to the next level. While developing my idea I would take into consideration of the viewers, I would constantly question myself what were people feel when they see such art in the gallery context. It seems very expected if the artist were to do drawing/painting/video/sculpture, like “art-art” things. I think this was why I have the sudden though of incorporating living objects in the work. In addition, I challenged myself by pushing myself away from my comfort zone therefore I added element which are difficult to control/ unstable. I knew it would be achievable for me if were to simply create a sculpture, like the wearable structure that I started with, I could already visualize the ended product. Hence, I tried to have a more unconventional approach by coating the structure with glow-in the dark nail polish. Then I realized that the glow must be enhance by UV black light and I was thankful that Paul happened to own one and he lent me. However, even after attaching the UV black light but is still not sufficient. Thus, I went online and check on what material or fluid glow most under black light and I found that detergent and highlighter glow most so I did a few experiments and decided to use detergent powder as it gives a brighter glow and it is more consistent. The work Glowing water lily is considered as a site specific work, as explained earlier, the glowing effect was meant to create contrast with the environment which is the emergency exit. I felt that the stair case helps to build up the tension and the work would only work well in that quite and enclose area.

Next, as for Water lily, not only there was contrast in terms if the colours and size. The structures were also in contrast with the constructed habitat. It was meant to challenge the perception that architectural structures in this era were generally considered as urban. Therefore, the underwater environment and the colorful guppies evokes a sense of tranquility and peacefulness. However, I faced difficulties working with fishes even though I rear guppies at home and I am aware that they could survive without air pump! Day one, the guppies are lively and active, day two which was the exhibition day I was told that the water is milky therefore I went to change the water and added new water but the chlorine content was high in mew water and guppies started dying. In panic, I called Jasmine to get me fighting fishes thinking that they would be more durable and she also got me anti-chlorine solution which stabilized the water. After adding the anti-chlorine the fishes looked more active and only two fishes died until the third day.

In conclusion I felt that my work is very scientific and I made many experiment in order to obtain current success. By and large, the toughest part of the work was to deal with variable element which I have to accommodate with.

Water lily...

Below are some questions that i was asked during the opening:

Why did I name the works water water lily?

Ans: I thought that the final outlook of the form looks like lily flower even though the inspiration was originally the ceiling of the Notre Dame Catheral. =)

Why did I use transparency?

Ans: I wanted the sturcture to be place in water hence the transpency would blend well with water and only surfaces that I coated with glow in the dark fluid or maker would stands out. In a way it was create a more visible constrast.

I felt that photos could not fully document the work so i video the works from various angles.

The video size is too huge, please refer to the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99mpuNH1gjs

Construction of the structure

The design of the structure is based on the ceiling of Notre - Dame catheral, and when i cut along the 'cut line' the structure would then curl up like a lily flower.

Preperation for the guppies and aquatic plants

Video for the glowing structure

There is one more video but is too large to upload in blogspot i tried for 2 hrs yet it didn't work! Angry... I went for dinner and it was still loading went I came back..

So i upload to youtube... pls view this link!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4ypLPys4lo&feature=youtu.be

Final work in progress...

(This is the most visible photo of the glowing structure.)

Unfortunately, i could not capture the glowing effect as the surrounding was too dark. I tried to ask terrence to help me but he could capture the glow either.

I felt that this work interacted very well with the site (the emegency exit), the subtle lilic glow in the dark give a surrealistic feeling.

One comment from the audience (Jiayi):

She said : "I have to walk in total darkness to reach the work and while i inch my step closer to the work I'm constantly think what is in the glowing tank, it give a mysterious feel and the structure is really pretty"

Things that I bought...

1. 3 square fish tanks ($25 x 3 = $75)




2. Thick tranparency ($2.90 x 2 = $5.80)




3. Double tape ($1.20)




4. Hot glue gun ($9.90)




5. Zebra markers ($12)




6. Fishes, aquatic plants, gravel, anti chlorine solution ($24)



7. Glow in the dark nail polish ($3.10 x 2 = $6.20)

Total amount: $134.10