A MOMENT OF CLARITY

THE VOID

EXHIBITION DESIGN

CONTENTS

Concept

Effect & Experience

Materials

Measurements & Scale

This simple, yet effective installation re-creates the experience of being

able to recognise a person, object or location easily, and then suddenly

not being able to recognise anything at all. Often during the many stages

of Alzheimer’s disease, the sufferer will experience moments of clarity.

They may briefly recognise a family member, but then soon forget who

they are once more. This is one of the symptoms that makes Alzheimer’s

such a heartbreaking condition for the sufferer, and for their families.

The installation consists of a completely dark room, with a single glass

window. Upon entering, the viewer can see clearly through the window,

and may recognise people on the other side, either in the gallery where

the piece is likely to be exhibited, or any other location it may be placed

in. However, upon approaching the window, the glass will appear to cloud

over, transforming previously recognisable faces, or places into vague and

anonymous blurs.

This interactive installation re-positions the viewer as the Alzheimer’s

sufferer, becoming confused in the thick fog of their own minds, and no

longer being able to identify things that were once so familiar.

THE VOID / CONCEPT

The effect of this installation is to give the viewer the experience of beng

able to recognise someone one moment, and then not be able to identify

them the next. This is achieved through the use of Lumisty Film. Lumisty

is a special film that is completely clear when viewed from an angle, but

appears translucent when seen face on. The effect of this can be seen in

the following two slides

THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE

A demonstration of the effect of Lumisty Film using a

photograph, and a gradient from white to clear using

the opacity settings. You can see here that from the

front the film is translucent, but when viewed from a

side angle it provides a clear view.

Cutaway diagram exposing the window through which

the viewer experiences the effect of the installation

This image shows thr observers view upon first

entering the void. When viewed from this angle

the glass window appears perfectly clear.

THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE

This image shows the observers view when

facing the window straight on. From this

viewpoint the lumisty film causes the glass to

cloud over, transforming the outside world,

and making it very difficult for the observer to

recognise faces, objects or locations.

THE VOID / EFFECT & EXPERIENCE

The materials needed for the construction of this piece are fairly basic.

A list of the primary materials is given bellow. However, this does not take

into consideration such miscellaneous items as hammers, screwdrivers,

nails, saws etc.

THE VOID / MATERIALS

Wall studwork with doorway partition x 1

Wall studwork with window partition x1

Blank wall studwork x 3 + 1 for ceiling

1. Plasterboard (thinkness 12.5mm). 10 sheets measuring 250cm x 250cm. £2.39

per square metre from Wicks. Total cost: £23.9

2. Studwork Timber (95 metres). 38 studs measuring 2.5m in length, with a depth

of 38mm, and a width of 89mm. £1.57 per metre from Wicks. Total cost: £149.15

Vertical studwork to be spaced between 400 – 600mm.

3. Glass window 60cm x 60cm.

4. Lumisty film 60cm x 60cm.

5. Vinyl matt paint (Black)

THE VOID / MEASUREMENTS & SCALE

The scale of the installation is large enough to accommodate one person

at a time. This provides the viewer with a more personal experience, and

encourages a greater emotional response to the piece. Measurements

and relative scale of figurers, windows, doors etc are approximate.

2.5 metres (8.2 ft)

6 ft (1.8 metres)

2.5 metres (8.2 ft)

6 ft (1.8 metres)

Door size 81cm x 203.cm

124cm 45cm

2.5 metres (8.2 ft)

Window size 60cm x 60cm