Aqua duct tube: custom made laboratory glass tubes or semi open ceramics in cylinder shape
Tray movements: belts and bearings or guides as stablizer or wheels with bearings and guides attached to a rotating motor
Kettle: attached to surface with actuator embedded for tilting
Human Interaction Steps - mechanisms
focus on the mechanism 3 step builds:
*cushion with sensor for on trigger
environment:
Purpose of the museum and understanding of the demand.
Unpacking Equipments:
Some ideas below, either DIY pump or purchase a pump for fish tank.
The space is set in the context of China's Cultural Revolution period, where historical buildings were knocked down, valuable antiques and artefacts were broken to pieces and books of literature burnt to ashes. A semi-demolished safehouse provided sanctuary to what's remain in their last desperate cry. The Museum of Automated Objects for China's Intangible Cultural Heritage tells a narrative of objects and human connections behind museum windows, conveys the tales that's been long forgotten.
“Every object is an arrangement. Each array tells a story.”
What connections can we draw between The Great Leap Forward and the current pace of development and technology advancement in China? Is Shenzhen roaming with new skyscrapers filled with technology companies that are determined to take over the world of electronics a technological revolution? Is new generations of "innovations" comparable to melting pots and pans?
5th December 2017
Horniman Museum
Music gallery:
Hands on space
Videos, props, costumes exhibited next to the instruments
Eg. A wedding in Uzbekistan features wedding attires, full set of instruments used and their names dates and origins, a video showing the event taking place, two pictures of weddings and a description of the event.
Some instruments are available for listening at three Interactive listening tables within the gallery, when visitors can listen to a recording of the instrument being played.
Natural history:
Replicas and models on a minimature or enlarged scale along with images, graphics and text for explanation.
Real or fake items not specified
Key words
Maybe it’s an app that gives you TIME to do that collectively
To replace and fight the urge of getting on social media or play games
How to turn intangible elements into tangible souvenirs
23 November 2017 Tutorial with Sean Hall
Series of interactions with objects, items
Bill Gaver's design method - Cultural Probes
Send objects out and get feedbacks on how the users interact with the objects and how they use them.
Re-design fortune cookies, maybe it can be turned into a fortune box?
How could it be inserted in different culture
Where does it come from? Who cares? Apple pies from America or UK? Fortune cookies from China or Japan? Globalisation has melted culture into blurred lines, it became harder and harder to distinguish the differences and we start to loose track of where everything comes from. Or does it matter?
Borrowing objects, can we be borrowing ideas and use them? Like Sean's office full of books and ideas to be borrowed and used?
Look at previous student's dissertation from Goldsmiths Library - research on people's idea of Chinatown in London. The distorted perspective, the utopia, the fictional image of eastern culture and the exoticism.
Curation of objects - Contemporary Anthropology
Books to look at, read review first:
Stuff by Daniel Miller, Chapter 2
The Social Life of Things by Arjun Appadurai, Commodities in Cultural Perspectives
Create a visual piece, a visual story book. add images
Start the writing from key words Intangible Cultures, ask the question, what is intangibility? Maybe start writing with the line 'this is what I meant by intangible culture...'
Visit:
Horniman Museum, V&A, Design Museum, ..
A new way of thinking about it, scan through museum studies
Maybe a proposal for Design Museum, tackling the issues about budget, acquiring more contents and items without having to spend more expenses, resulting a more interesting, interactive and engaging collection. Maybe I can build a Chinatown within the museum, creating a space, an experience for kids to run around, for general public to freely explore within the space.
How to structure a survey? Look into sociology
advantages and disadvantages of the survey being conducted, the purpose, is it to inform?
Need to state in writing
Take into consideration maybe people lie? maybe people don't tell the truth? How much data can we take from the survey?
Ask Library about form signing, agreement of showing participants responses in the dissertation.
Next steps:
think about the following
methods: cultural probes, or something else?
images: what to include, how to use images as a guideline to the contents
layout
title of the dissertation
look at museum studies and what's already been done
Next tutorial: 7th December 2017
30th October 2017
Suona was once a popular instrument to play during special occasions such as funerals and weddings. The story is set in a remote village in China, when the young Tianming started learning how to play the instrument from his Master Jiao San through tough trainings. It was a very proud skill to master at back in the days, Tianming has managed to complete his father's dream as a Souna player and learnt the masterpiece 'Song of the Phoenix', known as the best piece in Suona world.
However, things changed as Tianming took over the Souna band. Foreign bands became more popular and Tianming's band could no longer reply on the performance business to make a living. His band mates left the village as his sister and childhood friend also moved away to the city. Suona seemed to be dying out.
At the end of the film, Tianming was asked to gather his band once again to play Suona in front of the camera for the purpose of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. At the time, all his former band mates turned into factory working or construction, many of them had permanent injuries which resulted them no longer able to play Suona as an instrument. It's a sad ending for Suona as Jiao San passed away, along with many generations of passion for traditional Chinese music and customs.
In collaboration with Magdalene Welch, Naomi Peh Haeger and lots of support from James Dovey. Project: Skin Is Art Link
Why are we hiding? What are we running away from? Why are we running away from it? Who are we hiding it from?
Photography: James Dovey
We are scrutinised for wearing little clothes. We are told we that aren't on the beach so we can't go around wearing only our bras. But why? Why do you have a say on what I choose to wear?
Image Credit: Magdalene Welch
Photography: James Dovey
Photography: James Dovey
We should not feel ashamed of sharing our body. Society has created too many labels, stereotyping people and their bodies. We are forced to feel guilty about our natural build and feel the urge to change our body type. We've been constantly associating the naked body with sex, prostitution, seduction, negative influences, shameful acts, whereas at the end of the day, it's the shell we were born in. That's all. Underneath layers and layers of superficiality, we are just us, in our birthday suits.
Why are we hiding those bread rolls, pale skin, the fat on our stomach and stretch marks on our bum cheeks? They are nothing bad. They are not ugly. They are normal. Magazines and social media tell us that our natural bodies are not acceptable. It's not pretty enough. It's not attractive. So we are pressured into changing ourselves to fit the norm. To blend in to the crowd. To put on an artificial mask for the world's masquerade like everyone else does.
Our Curves (2017)
Fashion Show is a Bible for Looks, Just Like Porn is a Bible for Sex
At the photoshoot today, one of my outfits was a corset from Victoria Secret Runway Show 2015. Have we ever asked ourselves why is it such an amazing thing to see those beautifully made garments at the show but it became unacceptable and inappropriate as soon as it walked away from the spotlight?
Boys and girls, starting from their teenage years, learnt from porn that pubes should not exist in this world and bushes are a myth. We take inspirations from fashion and porn, we secretly worship the perfect 'fake' tan and the toned ab lines, we dreamt of waking up one day and having a porn star's body and celebrity's fashion sense.
But hey, turn around and look at yourself in the mirror.
You are just as beautiful.
People's reaction
Another interesting perspective is to look at people's reaction as passers-by. The quick glance, the awkwardness, the not-sure-where-to-look. Driven by curiosity but avoiding looking out of many reasons. It could be anything from showing respect to feeling embarrassed.
In the main time, please support my friend's project at 202_Gallery, Central Saint Martins:
(text from the exhibition)
Pt 1: send nudes is the inaugral show of 202 gallery’s group exhibitions, showcasing works from artists across a multitude of different courses and colleges within UAL. send nudes addresses notions of sexuality, the male gaze, the symbolic juxtaposition of nudity vs. nakedness, eroticism in contemporary art and the concept of “the nude” in art history as well as its current role as a form of sexual communication in the digital age.
The exhibition comprises work by Paul Aaron Collins, Samantha Sun, Adelaida AE, Tori Atherton, Lola Mercadal, Irini Khenkin and Sandy Bhamra.
Sweeping motions:
http://www.dummies.com/computers/arduino/how-to-create-sweeping-movements-with-the-arduino/
Create motions for fans to move around and create wind. In combination with a thermometer. So as temperature rises to a certain point, it will trigger the motion.
Thermometer: https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/TheGadgetBoy/ds18b20-digital-temperature-sensor-and-arduino-9cc806
24th October 2017
Some recommendations from fellow sheepers:
Magazines by Zuojing 左靖
Bishan Magazine 碧山06：民艺复兴
Hanpin Magazine 汉品01
Film 百鸟朝凤 2013
23rd October 2017
First Description: Write down exactly what it is. Use accurate language.
The object is a kettle in the shape of an elephant, with a monkey on top of the lid. It's an imitation of "A Hammered Silver Kettle in Elephant Form" Meiji-Tai Sho Period, Early 20th Century listed under Lot 66 on Christie's 14709th Sale, "The Pavilion Sale Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art" on 2 October 2017 at Alexandra House, Hong Kong
Photo credit: Christie's Auction House
Lot Essay (Description of the original object):
“Elephants, though not native to Japan, were objects of great curiosity and were depicted in a variety of Japanese art from the Edo to Meiji period.
The white elephant is revered in Buddhism as a symbol of strength and high morality. The six-tusk white elephants in particular represent the vehicle of the Bodhisattva Puxian (Samantabhadra) and are associated with the birth of the Buddha Shakyamuni.”
Kettle/Tea Pot
Second Description: Write down vaguely what it is. Be less specific, more generic
A medium sized container that holds water, transfers heat and about to bring water within to boil.
Third Description: More abstract/alternative version of the second description
An object with hollow space in the middle, easy to carry. Uneven surface, and has loose bits. Has sharp edges at the front and more smooth towards the back.
19th October 2017
What can we tell from Made in China?
Objects
My Opinions
My Assumptions
My Biases
22nd October 2017
The film Farewell My Concubine by Cheng Kaige portrayed the life of two actors from their youth to the end of Chen Dieyi's career and life, during which China has transitioned from an emperor to a war zone with Japanese army, to republic of china and eventually taken over by the communist party to establish the People's Republic of China. The rapid change of cultural background in the spam of their life time pushed the main characters to react, love, hate, fight through many inner struggles.
Focus: destruction of intangible culture: Beijing drama (Jing Ju) in replacement of Communist New Drama. The fading passion for preserving the tradition in a transitional era. (Difference in attitude towards Beijing drama between Cheng Dieyi and Xiao Si). The little respect to literature, artefacts, invaluable objects during the revolution and cultural revolution.
22nd October 2017
Location: Chinatown
Frequently spotted objects: Lantern (Dēng Long)
Colour: Red
New bookshop: Intro to Calligraphy, Chinese ink painting and paper cutting in English
Location: SOAS Library
SOAS library does not open to public on Sundays. From Monday to Saturday a visitor pass will be issued to Goldsmiths students for temporary access. Check time before I go.
Location: British Museum
Unfortunately, Gallery 33 was closed for refurbishment whilst new displays are being set up in the space. It is expected to reopen to visitors in November, but no specific dates given. Gallery 33 is one of the main galleries exhibiting Chinese themed collections.
· Keyword 1 Heritage
· Keyword 2 Culture
· Keyword 3 Objects
· Keyword 4 Experience
· Keyword 5 Moment
· Keyword 6 Museums
· Keyword 7 Intangible
· Keyword 8 Collection
· Keyword 9 Technology
· Keyword 10 Tradition
· Research Question 1 / Line of Enquiry 1
What is intangible culture, and its difference from tangible culture
· Research Question 2 / Line of Enquiry 2
What are the existing methods of collecting intangible culture?
· Research Question 3 / Line of Enquiry 3
Ways of protecting Cultural Heritage?
· Research Question 4 / Line of Enquiry 4
Is intangible culture dying? Can we resurrect/recover/revitalize the forgotten skills?
· Research Question 5 / Line of Enquiry 5
What are the existing ways of presenting intangible culture?
Activities I might undertake to help me answer my first research question: attending performances and ceremonies and try to record it using different techniques.
This will help me answer my question because: it gives me an idea of what exactly is intangible about this ceremony or happening, and why can’t it be collected and exhibited as a museum object.
(Here note down five to ten key research sources for your project such as key texts such as books and journal articles, podcasts, tv programmes, films, etc. Use Google Scholar and the Library catalogue to identify relevant sources.)
· Research Source 1:
Intangible heritage and the museum new perspectives on cultural preservation
https://library.soas.ac.uk/Record/10136917
· Research Source 2:
UNESCO on the Ground: Local Perspectives on Intangible Cultural Heritage.
https://library.soas.ac.uk/Record/10204590
· Research Source 3:
Novel theories challenge conventional understanding of Chinese art history
· Research Source 4:
关注母亲河 : 中国非物质文化遗产・民间剪纸国际学术研讨会文集
https://library.soas.ac.uk/Record/722603#notes
· Research Source 5:
Reinventing Chinese tradition: the cultural politics of late socialism
https://library.soas.ac.uk/Record/10010636
· Research Source 6:
ICOM News: Museum and Intangible Heritage 2004
Seoul, Korea
Goldsmiths Library: Oversize 069.5MUS
· Research Source 7:
Film “Farewell My Concubine霸王别姬” (1993) directed by Kaige Chen
Goldsmiths Library: [2nd Floor] DVD 791.43751 FAR
· Research Source 8:
Youtube video “A 63-year-old engineer: ‘Japan’s Last Ninja’”
· Research Source 9:
Youtube video “Tom Sachs: Tea Ceremony Exhibit at the Noguchi Museum”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPI2OnVgWUg
· Research Source 10:
China Design Centre, London founded by architect Jack Qu. Some articles to look into.
Interview Jack Qu:
http://chinadesigncentre.com/en/news/Jack-Qu-China-Design-Centre-Interview
Gaze, based on Beijing Opera:
http://www.chinadesigncentre.com/en/events/Gaze-Based-on-Beijing-Opera
Hong GUang Cai, the only bamboo weaver in town:
http://www.chinadesigncentre.com/en/designdirectory/Hong-Guang-Cai-the-only-bamboo-weaver-in-town
From Made in China to Designed in China:
18th October 2017
Looking into upholstery and what I can do with the stools I made earlier.
DIY Tutorial for simple upholstery:
http://abeautifulmess.com/2016/01/make-a-furry-stool-with-gold-legs-in-minutes.html
Some links to fabrics suppliers in UK and some offers free samples.
Velvet:
https://www.myfabrics.co.uk/05-100060-5017_panne-velvet-13.html
Faux Fur:
https://www.myfabrics.co.uk/07-1539-01_woven-fur-siberian-1.html
18th October 2017
Thermochromic Ink: Reacts and changes colour as temperature changes
Hydrochromic Ink: Changes colour when in contact with water, revealing the hidden layer
Photochromic Ink: change colour when exposed to sunlight, revealing the hidden layer
Super Glow Ink: glows in the dark
THERMOCHROMIC COLOUR CHANGING SCREEN INK FOR TEXTILES
LIQUID CRYSTAL THERMOCHROMIC COLOUR CHANGING SHEET
17th October 2017
Group presentations on Day 3 after Materials Speed Dating, Everything is made of Something Lecture and experiments over the past few days.
Step-by-step guide (See brief for more information)
Notes from other student presentations:
*keep away from skin as the spray causes damages to skin
*UK recycling system is still relying on manual categorizarion
Some thoughts on my chosen material
Origin:
Bigger rocks from erosion, further refined by water or other substances, often originated from somewhere else, being blown away by wind
Chemical Makeup:
Sand is any material composed of loose, stony grains between 1/16 mm and 2 mm in diameter.
Granite consists of distinct crystals of quartz, feldspar , and other minerals .
How it is made, mined, processed:
Sands are usually created by the breakdown of rocks, and are transported by wind and water , before depositing to form soils, beaches, dunes , and underwater fans or deltas.
The most common sand-forming process is weathering , especially of granite.
What it is used for:
fire extinguisher, beach (naturally formed or artificial), artworks (painting, to increase volume; sculpture)
Pure quartz sands are mined to make glass and the extremely pure silicon employed in microchips and other electronic components.
How it has developed or changed over time:
Deposits of sand are often cemented together over time to form sandstones. Larger particles are categorized as gravel, smaller particles are categorized as silt or clay .
Reference from: http://www.encyclopedia.com/earth-and-environment/geology-and-oceanography/geology-and-oceanography/sand
Something I didn't know about it:
Historically, sand and gravel cannot be clearly distinguished, there's a blurred line between the two.
Link: http://www.etymonline.com/word/sand
* Sand has an extremely high melting point of 1,650 °C (pure quartz), 1,713 °C (silica sand) so it's difficult to melt them in the workshop under a blow torch flame.
Captured under microscope
Captured under microscope
Sand and pigments under digital microscope
Normal
Mixing with PVA glue
Left: Coarse - When placing a thin layer on hard surface. (on a plastic lid)
Right: Smooth - When placing a thick layer on hard surface. (inside a jar)
