Light and Shadows: Inspired Concepts For Wymering Manor

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Table of Contents

• Olafur Eliasson
• A Spiritual Exploration through Wymering Manor
• James Turell
• Light and Space
• Whispers in Glass
• Memories, Presence and Unseen Stories.
• Shadow land- The Flower Concert
• Memorial To Victims of Violence
• Wymering Manor: Symbol of remembrance and renewal
• Reflections of Life and Death: An Installation in Wymering Manor’s Great Hall
• Remembrance :Egypt’s Sound and Light Show
• Hologram Um Kulthum Concert

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Olafur Eliasson

Inspiration

Olafur Eliasson’s “Room for One Color” is a yellow led lights placed on the ceiling in a big empty space. It removed all colors, letting visitors see themselves without color.

The project inspired me to focus on art with colors and a design that relies on visitors. If no one is there, the concept disappears. As well as, it will take Wymering Manor users back in time to a state of entering an old movie.

Implementation

This concept will be applied in communal spaces to open an argument of existence and passing away. Creating a death communication between users.

Reflection

I feel it’s a way for people to feel connected and believe in things beyond what they see. Imagine entering a room with colorful clothes that turn grey, but the colors are still there. It contrasts the idea of losing someone, we feel their presence but question their existence.

Monofrequency lights mounted to the ceiling of a white room emit a narrow range of yellow light, reducing visitors’ color perception to shades of yellow and black. The longer the visitors stay in the space, the more they begin to perceive subtle color distinctions and to correct for the yellowish lighting. Upon leaving,they momentarily perceive a bluish afterimage. (Eliasson et al., 2006)

A Spiritual Exploration through Wymering Manor

Objectives

I want to bring this idea to Wymering Manor’s design, using light and colors for a spiritual feel. The plan is to create different spaces for visitors to connect emotionally, crafting a journey that incorporates the manor’s stories along the way.

Additionally, a one-way mirror could be set up in this room, offering a two-sided experience symbolizing death and rebirth. Those inside the ‘Room for One Color’ would see an infinite space representing the realm of death, while those outside, perhaps in a cafe or another space, could observe them. This outer space signifies life and the celebration of personal achievements while reaching a personal milestone.

In much of Olafur Elliasson’s work, the concept always revolves around the visitors’ existence within the space. He emphasizes that the design isn’t complete without someone interacting with it.

I find this idea incredibly powerful, even if the design isn’t reliant on the spectator. It inspires and drives me to create an interactive design centered on people’s presence within the building.

We create reality as we go through space

Olafur Eliasson

Whispers in Glass

Inspiration

In this design concept, applying installations of fabrics and glass between spaces lets visitors catch glimpses to the presence of unseen stories within Wymering Manor.

Reflection

This interplay is not just about observing; it’s a curated experience, tailored into different activities within the spaces to unveil the hidden narratives that lie beneath the surface.

These elements are integrated into various activities within the spaces, uncovering the blurred narratives behind them. Shadows symbolize the people who, at different times, have contributed to the stories within the manor. “Whispers in Glass” invites visitors on a simple yet haunting journey, where the layers of history become visible, and the untold tales echo through the fabric of the space.

Implementation

Applying ‘Room for one color’ in my design to create a sense of unity, and a moment of silence for us to realize our spiritual existence as souls moving around. This will allow me to create a design that works with peoples presence to the space.

Memories, Presence and Unseen Stories.

The only language that is common and understandable among us is the body language, and the eyes are the only sense in our body that recognize movement and colors.

Shadow land- The Flower Concert

Inspiration

Implementation

The users as the performers in space, creating performance by walking in Wymering Manor.

Reflection

This show flashbacks to when I was walking between the mountains and witnessing people dancing around a campfire on top of the mountain as huge shadows. which gave me hope that I can reach a point to celebrate my journey.

Experiencing the loss of a loved one feels like walking between dark mountains. You can’t see light until you reach the top, and it all rests on you.

Upon reaching the top, your journey becomes a memory. You begin sharing your journey with those who’ve walked a similar path, celebrating the good moments around the campfire.

Reflections of Life and Death: An Installation in Wymering Manor’s Great Hall

In the Great Hall, I’ll set up an installation mimicking a graveyard, contrasting with the nearby one at Wymering Manor.

The display will feature various materials and sizes:

• Small, rusty gravestone-like artifacts depicting grief and the marks of time.
• Eye-level mirror artifacts for users to reflect, ponder possibilities, and embrace the cycle of life.
• A large one-way mirror at the center of the hall window symbolizing hope and enlightenment.

This installation symbolizes the reality of death and rebirth, placed strategically in front of the main entrance to signify the life cycle of people entering and leaving.

Moreover, the large one-way mirror will offer space for people to express emotions or write names of loved ones. Sunlight will project these emotions onto the interiors.

Testing writings on one-way mirror sheet, to experiment light and written words as a projections on the walls of Wymering.

Remembrance : Egypt’s Sound and Light Show

Inspiration

In Egypt, a Sound and Light show illuminates Ancient Egyptian stories on temples. This show projects historical figures like pharaohs onto their temples, narrating their tales as a tribute to Egyptian culture.

Reflection

During the feedback session on December 8th, the tutors gave me ideas to enhance my final design concept with a focus on remembrance. One idea that inspires me was projecting ghostly legends within the interiors of Wymering Manor.

The Edfu and The Pyramid light and sound show served as a fantastic inspiration for creating projected stories of Wymering Manor, visually showcasing its historical significance and presence.

Hologram Um Kulthum Concert

Inspiration

Umm Kulthum, the famous Egyptian singer and actress, passed away in 1975, known as “Egypt’s Fourth Pyramid.”(Faber, 2020).

Here, you can see a tribute to her influence on Arab Music Culture: a holographic concert showing her performance on stage in 2020.

Reflection

This concert experience is truly unique; it feels like she comes to life once more. It’s a powerful way to remember her, engaging both sight and sound instead of just recalling memories in our minds.

Implementation

This idea inspired me to introduce holographic projections within Wymering Manor, reviving hidden stories and ensuring their everlasting presence.

‘She exists out of time’: Umm Kulthum, Arab music’s eternal star‘-The Guardian

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References

^{Eliasson, O., & Torchia, R. (2006). Some Ideas About Colour. In I. Soyugenc (Ed.), Your Colour Memory (pp. 75–83). essay, Glenside.}

^{Pace. (n.d.). James Turrell. Pace Gallery. https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/james-turrell/}

^{Gallery of speech clinic / MMVARQUITECTO – 5. ArchDaily. (n.d.). https://www.archdaily.com/778509/speech-clinic-mmvarquitecto/5667ac00e58ece20b4000703-speech-clinic-mmvarquitecto-photo}

^{Vial, M. (2019, April 7). Memorial To Victims Of Violence / Gaeta-Springall Arquitectos. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/359698/memorial-to-victims-of-violence-gaeta-springall-arquitectos}

^{The Sound and Light Show Egypt -The Official Website – Book your show tickets now. (n.d.). Sound and Light Show. https://soundandlight.show/en}

^{Faber, T. (2020, February 28). “She exists out of time”: Umm Kulthum, Arab music’s eternal star. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/feb/28/she-exists-out-of-time-umm-kulthum-arab-musics-eternal-star}