The End of the Beginning

It is quite hard to believe that my time at University is nearing completion, the light is definitely there but I can't quite see it yet! Although talking about lights, I feel that the last few months of my student life is really going to reach a climax, and I have definitely had some light bulb moments and hopefully more to come!

I have proposed to create an interactive book based on the theory of black, exploring the aesthetics, psychology and connotations that it creates within dream states of the mind. Black is possibly the most surreal concept within art, science and psychology as it's meaning appears endless; It has a sort of timeless trend of communication and exudes a mysterious intrigue, much like the study of the conscious and unconcious realms of experience (dreams.)

I have throughly studied the concept of black within my dissertation writing, which has provided me with a platform for transferring such critical thinking into a visual format. As my dissertation topic was solely focused on black in a mainly conscious context, my next step was to produce a visual development to focus on how black can permeate into the realms of the unconscious. I did this through the medium of film, with the ink acting as a physical metaphor for the unconscious mind interacting with the conscious. The results were fascinating.

Read more about it here: Read more about it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WPB_W7MkXY&context=C37817a4ADOEgsToPDskKpkP-oklpX8umOi4UvjniF

So after making the film, I started to really think about how I can develop this concept further, into a different visual medium.  I have come to the conclusion that a physical book is vital in order to produce a series of disjointed images that chronologically tell a story to be felt both visually, physically and psychologically. It is such irony that links to the world of reality and fantasy, and will drawn upon the irony of reality and 'Surreality' within the dream state of the mind.

The book will follow 5 stages of the journey:

Closing
Ascent
Climax
Descent
Awakening

Each stage will visually document each concept to encourage the viewer to feel the images, as appose to just looking at them, and I intend to create this approach through making the book look and feel as interactive as possible. For example, giving the reader a choice of their front cover image, utilising different paper textures and finishes, and encouraging the viewer to touch, both visually and physically.

I am going to start testing 'Closing' this Friday with my collaborative partner for the project, Chris Aadland in order to figure out how our extensive visual references and critical thinking about theory can be put into practice. Images and reflection to come soon!