Read a book, think about it, then destroy it -with purpose-
This project challenges me to represent a core theme of a book by altering how I experience its content through form. Choose a book I don’t mind destroying or altering permanently, familiarize myself with the content of the book and identify core themes and key messages that the book contains. Then, explore the form, structure and materiality through series of studies in approach to the final outcome. My goal is to alter the physical form of the book or how one experience the book in a way that represent a core message the book address. I may alter the book in any way that is effective to communicate my ideas.
Overview
The book centers around the idea of how prophecy influence individuals’ decision, in which raise the question of whether or not one makes his/her choices in life with his/her own free-will, or is the result he/she got just a designed destiny. One thing I really enjoy about this novel is the uncertainty that drives through the entire plot. These uncertainties challenges the characters to act the way they behave; at the same time, construct realistic personalities within their uncertain nature in between good and evil. Furthermore, parallel structure can be found throughout the entire story. The parallel between good and evil, light and dark, predictions and the unseen, free-will and destiny, chaos and peace. Between each character, there is also a parallel bonding in their personalities and the role they play. Almost every character has another corresponding companion, which forms an interesting balance. Even the authors themselves are parallel to each other, which is quite fascinating to see the spark between the Sci-Fi style of writing mash-up with the magical fiction base.
Overall, this novel is meant to be a dark humor satire which is really enjoyable to read. A lot of bible allusions and 80’s everyday lifestyle emerge in a playful way. I am hoping to represent this sense of humorous in my final project. |
50 WORDS
Base on the content of the book, create a list of 50 words relate to the literary themes, social content, formal qualities.
Good
Evil Apocalypse Parallel Free-well Humanity Satire Misplacement Prophecy Judgement Humor Existence Religious Equality Balance Disbelief Absurdity Uncontrollably Moral Hyperbolic Love Righteous Indignation Fundamental Ineffable |
Inevitable
Multifaceted Wretchedness Malignant Manipulative Occasion Precarious Miraculous Incarnate Seamless/Endless Unpredictable Friendship Omens Classic Counter-intuitive Bibliophilia Destiny Bewilderingly Consciousness Indication Presumptuous Vindictive Melodrama Paradox Cult |
PARALLEL
between Good & Evil Peace & Chaos Existence & Nothingness Classic & Contemporary Light & Dark Free-will & Destiny
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30 QUICK PAPER STUDIES
LAYER
STRUCTURE
PATTERN
SHAPE
MOVEMENT
CONCEPT SKETCH
The idea is to resemble the parallel in the story through the structure of project. In the book, there is a conversation between the demon and the angel discussing that “human beings can be potentially good and/or potentially evil, because they are designed to have the freedom to choose what they want to be, which is why they can be easily manipulated.” I am extremely inspired by the concept of the potential in human nature and how it was constructed.
The construction of self can be achieved through three layers, formation of free-will, identity, and soul. Therefore, a gyroscope structure can really convey my message. I also take inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s ”The Vitruvian Man (1487)” which presents a perfect proportion of a human body in the circle. |
PARALLEL
-Structurally & psychologically-
The representation of parallel can be found in the installation of the work. Its position indicates the contrast between heaven and hell, and how the earth is grounded in between the two forces. The overall structure is based on the same idea as well. One of the reason I used circle as the fundamental shape of this project is because circle is the most powerful shape that can be found in nature. From as tiny as a particle to as big as the planet. Circle has a lot of potential to be explored, and the two sides never meet, which is, by definition, parallel.
Meanwhile, by hanging the project in the air, it allows more interaction between the audiences and the project in the overall space. |
TAROT
-Formation of free-will-
The outer loop is created with a set of tarot card as to represent the parallel between infinity and
nothingness. Throughout the novel, prophecy plays a huge part. Almost every choice the character makes was influenced by the prophecy, creating an interesting balance between one’s freedom of choice and destiny. In the day to day life, one constantly encounters infinite decisions to make. Oftentimes, he/she would be seeking for a second advice or some sort of instructions to help them with making decision. However, most of the prophecies are vague and unclear. Eventually, one makes his/her choice and alter the meaning of the prophecy to justify the result. The brilliant about this is that no matter what he/she chose, the result is already set far before he/she made the decision. |
PAGES
-Formation of identity-
Another issue that has been addressing within the book is the construction of identity. The demon and the angel who claim to obtain no free-will and have a ready-set characteristic presents a different side of personality from time to time. The idea being how one reflect to him/herself in parallel to how others perceive them which ultimately form individual’s identity, or at least how one thinks about oneself.
Thus, the second loop is created by the pages in the book. Implies the life as a story, and one’s identity is constructed by those pages. There are pages one constantly reflects back to, the inner side, and the outside where other would refers to. And all that together is the structure of one’s character. |
STRINGS
-Formation of soul-
The inner loop is representing
parallel between self-control and outer force. The structure is shallow and semi-transparent because the state of one’s consciousness is constantly changing and unstable. The story is centered around the human and how one is grounded by his/her surrounding. Everyone is born to be in the center of his/her own universe. One is given a sense of self-awareness to have control over his/her mind and thought. However, one is often controlled by his/her day to day life, from the smallest thing like washing dishes and important stuffs such as the bonding between family and friends. Almost like being trapped in an inescapable web/loop. In the end, it is one’s decision to stay as all the stings is lead by his/her heart. |
CIRCLES
-Formation of self-awareness-
The formation of free-will, identity, and soul all together construct one’s self-awareness.
Frankly enough, when one is trapped in his/her loop, one is not able to understand his/her own circumstance. Oftentimes, one would assume he/she is in control of his/her own life. But if one were able to move above the loops, perhaps, one would finally achieved his/her own freedom. Therefore, I am aiming to create a parallel between this project and my viewers. When they put energy, even just a push of a finger tip, they can literally make a person’s world upside down. In certain way, it reflects to the uncontrollable matters in life. |