Revisions for Project 1 (by Kerrin)

As Brandon mentioned, the concept of our project was difficult to get across in the space we had to work with. If I were able to make any changes without regard to money or resources, there are several things I would consider.

The use of sound would be effective, but I think it would have to be very specific to the visual stimulus provided. If this were to be a piece that included sound, I personally would deem it appropriate to drastically alter the setup and perhaps the overall intention of the project. For example: if I had a large, rectangular room as a working space, it would be great to play with the idea of using not one, but several video installations. The walls could be white and in order to represent the many religions being addressed, I would like no less than 6 televisions: 3 set into each length-wise wall. Each television could represent one of the world’s largest religions: Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and perhaps Atheism/Secularism as the 6th installment. Visual representations of these beliefs could cycle through their respective television and headphones could be installed directly next to each one.

There would be 6 corresponding “soundtracks”- snippets of mantras, prayers, verses and speeches – that would go along with each individual video installation.
So theoretically, if I went to the television displaying Buddhist imagery and donned the headphones, I would hear the meditative chanting of Buddhist monks while watching the movie/slideshow.

Meanwhile, to maintain the aspect of having the audience becoming part of the performance, it would be ideal to have 6 different projectors. They could be attached to the ceiling and directed at the installation on the opposite wall, projecting “BUDDHIST” onto the person viewing/listening to the Buddhist installation. This would apply to all 6 “stations”.

In this manner, the viewer who is experiencing the religion by viewing the imagery and listening to the corresponding sound- they would be “labeled” by the projector as having subscribed to that particular religion. Passers-by who walk though would see the installations and then the labeled participants.

A little complex- but I think it would be neat 

Insofar as the unifying light goes, I would like to have one spot light in the center of the ceiling projecting downwards to a circular chase lounge that would invite viewers to sit. The rest of the room should be dark and illuminated only by the installations and the peripheral shed of the spot light. If an overarching sound throughout the entire room would make it more effective, I would suggest a vague humming or chant that can’t be identified as belonging to any one particular set of beliefs. If Atheism/Secularism is introduced as one of the installations, then the “light” would represent the idea of belief, mystery and answer-seeking rather than just meaning “god” or “godliness.”