The pattern of finding meaning, rotation of the earth, and pattern finding in the human brain. Pattern Rotate Repeat will be the foundations of my design.
I am to deign a repeating pattern that could be used as a never-ending textile panel and as a globe gores- the eternal rotation. The idea is to instil ambiguity and the feeling of uncertainty in my design by repeating pattern and rotating. I aim to have elements of clarity amongst the confusion. The purpose of my final design will be to visually show the feelings of our relationship with superstition, and leave the viewer searching for answers.
When we are feeling uncertain we can look to the globe and find hidden patterns and meaning. This will hopefully provide comfort and a different, more positive, outlook.
Experiment with acrylic paint, acetate, non reflective plastic, scrunched plastic and positive negative space, mirror image.
I have been experimenting with a array of mark making and materials, to create abstracted imagery. I am uncertain whether to include ‘figurative’ elements to the design. This is perhaps something to talk about in the external review. I am considering symbols rather than illustration, for several reasons; my symbols and icons are probably a little more advanced than my drawing, and there is much in the way of symbolism or semiotics involved with superstition. To hide symbols within the design would be more in line with pattern finding and superstition.
Do we even need the land?
In answer to my question of a couple of weeks ago I have decided that we do need the land. I think the globe needs to represent Earth in some respect, as in land and water. It definitely needs to be abstracted to fully fit the theme of pattern finding in an uncertain world. I have been thinking a lot about the equator, the invisible line circling the earth, there is still much superstition around crossing the line. My question of how to represent ‘invisible’ without being visible is a tricky one. I have thought about using mirror strip to reflect back surroundings- an illusion of invisible.
Scrunched plastic backing, destined for the bin and non reflective strip. Visible, yet invisible?
Below a quick pattern finding exercise, dancing body, and the word reassure, Great dyslexic spelling! After doing this I realised, don’t just find pattern in the texture, make my own.
Looking at ocean currents (NASA) we can clearly see disruption in the ocean current and temperature around the equator. The invisible line is not so invisible with technology.
NASA SVS | Flat Map Ocean Current Flows with Sea Surface Temperatures (SST)
Above is a scan of currents painted on acetate with acrylic paint. When you zoon in close the brain forms recognisable patterns from the marks, much like the way we find patterns around us to create superstitions.