Similarly to what I did with my plants, I have allocated certain Futurist approved materials to the ways I design my sculptures. These are cardboard, glass, hemp, aluminium, ceramics, neon tubes, celluloid plastic, rubber as well as tin and wood because they make good noises when hit, also while not on my original material map have also been used by Futurists.
I then thought about how some of these materials make better sounds when interacted with in a certain way compared to others. A lot of these materials come in ranges of shapes/designs. One thing that is key is texture and all of the materials have different textures.
I have noticed however, that a lot of them can have a corrugation/ribbing which creates different noises on each on when interacted with. Adding a bit of ribbing could help add more interest to my sculptures and the sounds that emit from them.
Whilst looking at sound machines and kinetic sculptures I suddenly thought about child toys. It was the 'Groan tube' which I could picture in my head remembering the noise and way to use it but couldn't remember what is was called so I typed in noisy child toys and got a range of other really useful noisy toys.
The 'groan tube' has a ball in it which rolls down a spiral trial each time you turn it making this strange noise. Another noise happens if you shake it. This reminded me of some of the unusual noises from pieces of Futurist music so I thought it was perfect to look at how it works.
I've made some influence maps of noise making toys which I think I can use to inspire my designs and mechanics of my sculptures so that they would work if actually real.
I found these really cool versions of sound machines on Vimeo and thought I would share them. I think the first two are more of an influence for my project than the others because I could actually design a sculpture which did something along these lines.
I found this really interesting video on YouTube about Futurist sounds/music. It talked about Futurism seeing noise as rich and artistic so established ways of producing music were disapproved of. There are categories of sounds that the Futurists would believe were suitable music noises.
I came across this sculptor Phil Price who makes beautiful kinetic sculptures. They are brightly coloured, high gloss and modern looking. Very futurist! I will definitely be looking at his work to inspire my own kinetic sculptures.
'Fluid' effects do not neccessarily mean actual fluids but instead could mean symbolising fluids. So sculptures using sound and movement to simulate for example water are fluid effects. I have already put this video on my blog during my minor project but it is going to prove handy in my design of fluid effects.
I have looked up some further sculptures using ball bearings and marbles and have found some really cool and inspiring clips!
In my minor project feedback Phil mentioned opportunities for fluid effects to keep my garden dynamic and not just sculptural. Automatically my brain thinks water but the futurist I'm channelling threw this out of my head with a mighty noo! Water is not artificial and synthetic! So I cannot dare touch this. However, there are of course other fluid substances that I can use. I'm going to research into these synthetic fluids to see what's out there but for now I leave you with the lava lamp.
The 'lava' in a lava lamp is actually wax which rises and falls when its density changes due to the heat from the lamp's light bulb. Wax is either a natural material or a synthetic one depending on how it is made so saying that my wax is synthetic I could have screen like walls or things like path lights which are similar to how a lava lamp works.
One of the tasks I need to complete this project is the designing of garden objects to sit alongside my plants. To inspire me for this and to see what is already out there I have created a range of influence maps.
As part of my project I have researched into Futurist music. Not only will I need to use it in my major project for my garden fly-through to really get across the theme, I thought it would add a nice touch to my turnarounds.
Below are various pieces of music categorised as Futurist. I will need to pick a piece which feels best suited to my turnarounds.
'Serenata'- Antonio Russolo
'Corale' Antonio Russolo
'Risveglio di una Citta'- Luigi Russolo
'Danza della Scimmie'- Franco Casavola
'Preludio a Prigionieri'- Franco Casavola
'Tango e Allegro'- Franco Casavola
'India Rubber Man'- Aldo Giuntini
'Le Macchine'- Aldo Giuntini
'Trio per violino...'- Francesco Balilla Pratella
'Fox-Trot Futurista'- Virgilio Mortari
Finally I leave you with this track which I happily and accidently came across while researching Futurist music on YouTube. Even though it is from a current band, it has similarities with the mechanical and industrial sounds of the period of Futurism. Coincidently enough it is also named 'Futurism'. Even now we are producing music which challenges the modern and what the future may be. (I know, I know I can't use this one!)
After a tutorial with Alan it was discussed that to really move my design work onto the next stage I needed to go back to my research on Futurism and pick a theme within the garden theme of Futurism itself. The reason for this is due to the message I want to convey through my Futurist garden. The Futurists had varying themes and beliefs however, if I take all of them and attempt to place them all in my digital set it would feel cluttered and unplanned. Narrowing down to a particular theme will give me more control over how to show the Futurists' claim over the correct way to garden.
After recapping over my Futurism research the theme which stood out to me was that of 'dynamism' which deals with vigorous activity and progress. A key part of dynamism is movement/ the impression of movement and energy.
I thought this was perfect to focus on what with the motion, industrial and transport themes Futurism features.
I moved on to look specifically at dynamism in existing gardens and a google image search brought up many examples. Here are some that particularly stood out to me showing different ways to be dynamic.
Further research into the dynamic garden brought up these ideas to express it.
Bold colours.
Sense of flowing.
Lots of movement.
Plants like succulents are seen to make a dramatic show when grouped.
Illusion of motion through repetition, no static notes.
Repeated line, shape and colour to create rhythm and movement.
Sweeping movement, curved lines.
Ascending heights of elements produces progressive advancement (progression)
As my next stage in designing is to produce eye level thumbnails I am going to need to include things typical of a garden as these will be key to showing it is still a garden even if they are designed to look very different. I did some research to compile a list of things which commonly feature in a garden whether it be a small family garden or an exhibition garden.
Today I also learnt about the artist Aurora Robson who is a multi-media artist transforming waste materials predominately plastic debris into pieces of art. She originally started off by painting her childhood nightmares but since has decided to take them into 3D sculpture.
When I first saw her sculptures I thought they were beautiful, very cleverly crafted and completely different from any other sculpture I've seen before. I also felt that to a viewer they could be interpreted as depicting a range of objects as well as Robson's nightmares.
I've found it really hard to pick which of her sculptures to sample here because they are all beautiful so here is her website for anyone who wishes to continue looking Aurora Robson
Yesterday while I was doing a bit more research I stumbled across something that is called an 'air plant'. They really caught my eye because they seemed so structural and unusual. In fact they reminded me of blown glass or plastic which is perfect for my garden because that is completely synthetic. I also liked the different ways they can be displayed/planted, this shows me that I can really make my Futurists' garden out of the ordinary through unusual plant placement.
Having decided that I would like to use Somerset House as a basis for placing my Futurists' garden I have looked up the floor plan with the courtyard so that I can work on top of it and get accurate points where my garden would have to stop.
I have used the rest of the images to get a better understanding of how the courtyard sits in the middle of Somerset House especially where the entrance/exits are.
So that I have a set area to base my garden design in I have been looking up possible places for it to be if it actually existed. I had already decided that I did not want it to be for a regular garden or a stately home. Being completely artistic and innovative I want it to be able to be on show so I decided that it should be placed in an exhibiton. I could place it as part of RHS Chelsea Flower Show but with their small set plots I felt I wanted something bigger.
Somerset House
Somerset House is a big arts and culture centre which is always placing different attractions in it's courtyard area. These attractions are all laid out differently too to change the appearance of the space.
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern would probably be a perfect place to exhibit as it is full of innovative art work. The only thing I would worry about is that the outdoor 'space' may be a bit too all over the place to get a definitive area for a plan.
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert museum has a beautiful outdoor space for an artistic garden. It is even interupted by a water pool which would challenge design work, even with the question of how to cover it because there shouldn't be any natural elements in a futurist garden.
During my last tutorial it was suggested that I take a look at existing garden styles as this would help me see what was already out there and in a way what not to do! Instead to do the complete opposite :)
From my research the gardens which seem most anti-futurist are the formal, cottage, foliage, productive, family, sustainable and country gardens for many different reasons. So I need to stay clear from creating anything along the lines of these.
On Alan's suggestion I have been focusing on the actual layout of the garden rather than getting ahead of myself and trying to design plants. Phil also suggested that I look into types of landscape design for example, formal gardens as this may help me figure out the landscape rules for my futurist garden. It could even be that the Futurists would take an existing landscape design and go completely against it. To aid my research into landscaping I found this very helpful book in the uni library, The Encyclopedia of Garden Design.
Before I looked at specific garden types I read about important parts of the garden and ways specific feelings can be portrayed through certain elements in the garden. Here is the research I have gathered so far from the book.
I found out that important parts to the garden comprise of:
Enjoying the plants and wildlife
Entertaining and having fun
Appreciating the picture/view
Relaxing and unwinding
There are also different gardens for different emotions:
The Dynamic Garden- This garden is exciting and upbeat. Use of vibrant and hot colours, spiky plants, sharp lines and varied textures as well as water introduce movement and the sense of energy.
Refreshing Garden- This garden is rejuvinating. Sunlit reflections in the water, natural planting, soft colours and lots of different materials create the sense of energy and growth. As if to "recharge your batteries".
Restoring Garden- This garden creates a sense of well-being. This is normally a private garden which is full of unchallenges spaced and recognized for cullinary, therapeutic and medicinal plants. This space is a reassuring, relaxed and restorative environment.
Contemplative Garden- Peaceful and calm, this garden is full of cool colours, simple shapes and delicate shapes. A restricted use of materials and planting, simple focal elements, waterfalls and carefully chosen lighting, this garden creates a calm and peaceful mood which enhances empty spaces.
If I had to relate any of these types of emotional gardens to Futurism, it would definitely be the dynamic garden.
A garden can be anything from traditional to contemporary and there are different ways to show this:
Filled with flowers (very traditional)- is a horticultural extravaganza for favourite plants. There is constant involvement with it to keep it looking in tip top shape.
A tropical retreat- Holds the idea of sculpting with plants. The use of bold leaves gives the sense of the exotic, lush and enclosed.
A hint of holiday- Allows you to bring something natural home with you, you can take ideas from travels. This usually involves fragrant flower beds and window boxes. Also something quite nautical.
A space to reflect- Acts as a sanctuary, it is a garden of tranquility, full of straight lines and simple shapes.
Chic and minimal- This type of garden appearance means no clutter and quite a plain, muted colour palette. Large, striking features add dynamism.
Fun and funky (very contemporary)- Wants to hold your eye, it is attention grabbing and full of creative arty heart. It allows the artist to go crazy and let all of their creativity out!
Other interesting and handy rules for garden design I found out are:
A diagonal layout directs the eye out to the corners and evokes energy.
Parallel divisions with offset gaps force movement and draw you in.
Routes that snake through the garden add a sense of movement and an air of discovery. (Curves)
The view from the house is the most important view and dictates the layout.
Any eating areas are normally near the house.
If there is the opportunity to look through planting the garden becomes less formal and more organic.
Circular features break up straight lines.
Add layers above ground to make the garden more functional and visually exciting as well as dynamic angles and twists and turns.
Triangular beds add depth.
Angled rectangles= diagonal lines of view.
Different materials add more interest as well as breaking up spaces.
S-shaped elements give the impression of movement and space.
Curves add momentum.
Multi-level layouts create movement, dynamism and drama.
There were also a few objects/layouts throughout the book that I thought would be great to adapt for a Futurist garden as they link to their rules too...
While I was looking at existing ways sculptures have been made kinetic I found this really fascinating sculpture that was made for the BMW museum. It is completely synthetic, made up of spheres and speed related so the Futurists would definitely approve!
Here is a clip of it in action, in parts it actually looks like the car is driving along!
