olivia

Over the years music has grown more and more important in my life and in how I see the world around me. I wanted to use the opportunity of designing my own project to create an intimate place to sit and enjoy the sensory experience that is music. Many musicians over time have expressed that they see color in sound. I also experience this and by using fluorescent paint, colored flood lights, and black lights I attempted to materialize this experience.

I hope to have encapsulated the sensation of awe felt while hearing your favorite song for the first time or walking into your favorite festival or venue. My overall goal is for visitors to witness my installation's dream-like environment, to forget about everything outside of that space and just be there. I want the space to emulate the experience I personally have while experiencing music. The atmosphere would compare to an old record shop with a space for gathering and experiencing music with friends but with a modern feel.

First I painted the walls in the room dark purple to make the area darker. I next built a wall and added a curtain to enclose this dark space and prevent natural light from invading the space. I then created four sets of prints depicting different artists in different genres with the fluorescent paint. A third element I added is fluorescent tape in different designs on the walls and floor to add dimension. Lastly I displayed the prints on the walls in a way that the lights and colors would affect the paint in a fluid way.

To create a visually stimulating installation inspired by music I will use a printing format derived from traditional screen printing and hand painting techniques. To cultivate this space, I constructed a wall made of 2x4s and plywood in order to block the invasive natural light. The natural light will take away from the space’s atmosphere that I’m trying to create.

I have created a variety of physical pieces that are inspired by artists, their albums, and specific musical genres. I have completed one multilayer print on vellum sheets. I have completed four sets screen prints, totaling 20 individual prints. I’d like to use my display to experiment with how lighting affects color. By using different colored lights and backlights, I hope to allow the viewer a chance to escape from their outside reality.

This was intended to be viewed by at most three individuals at a time, but now under current circumstances it will be viewed virtually. I have composed a playlist of music that inspired me to create this space. To create a sense of community, I made this playlist collaborative so that viewers can add songs that are important or inspiring to them. In an extraordinary time like we are currently living, I think it is important to focus on what makes us feel good. To succeed on that we need to expand on the good in every possible way and bring our strongest feelings alive.