NOT FAR
NOT FAR is an immersive and multisensory Art installation that takes us on a journey through the dimension of time. The aim is to position the viewer on a thoughtful, conscious, and committed journey, providing necessary moments of quiet to pause, contemplate, and envision a better future.
Inmersive Art Installation
2020
London Borough of Culture Grant - Waltham Forest Council
Collaboration with Artist Daniel Solomons
Grant canceled due to COVID-19 outbreak.
CONCEPT
We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness.
George Orwell, 1984
NOT FAR emerges as a critical exploration in the context of our historical cycle marked by profound capital changes. In our disoriented world, fueled by the rapid pace of technological advancements, we grapple with an incessant flow of information. Our society is characterized by ruptures, rather than continuities, leading to a loss of the universal values that once shaped the Western world’s development. This, coupled with the alarming environmental issues and societal shifts, underscores the urgency of our times. Hyper-consumption and a “take-make-waste” lifestyle propel us toward an irreversible climate breakdown. The IPCC’s warning in 2018 provided a 12-year window for change, and now, two years closer to that deadline, we stand at a crucial crossroads.
NOT FAR seeks to be a catalyst for change, a collective maneuver of thought and action in the present to illuminate a future on the brink. As we navigate this critical juncture, the project calls for a transition from mere words to impactful actions. It poses essential questions: Where do we start? Who is leading this change? The belief in the significance of collective work emerges as a guiding principle. By improving current conditions and accelerating progress, we can chart a new course for humanity.
The interplay between past, present, and future is at the heart of NOT FAR. It acknowledges the inescapable link between what has been, what is, and what will come. This roadmap aims to explore how, even in a world running out of time, collective effort can shape a brighter, more sustainable future.
OUTDOORS INSTALLATION
Crafted with delicate layers of ECO PVC, varying in transparency from crystal clear to a dense fog simulation, the installation seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces. At its core is a half-sphere container, visually reminiscent of a planetary form, challenging perceptions and enticing viewers with novel sensory experiences. Even from a distance, this transparent bubble engages participants in a visual dance with the environment.
Entering the installation reveals a maze of transparencies bathed in intermittent light at the center—a representation of the future. The concentric labyrinth, resembling a kinetic spiral, not only charts a spatial-temporal timeline but mirrors the relentless path of time itself.
Stepping into the maze introduces an element of surprise and uncertainty. The foam composite floor momentarily destabilizes, urging a slower pace. This deliberate deceleration fosters a contemplative exploration, offering a reprieve from the current frenetic pace. Similar to reading metaphysical poems, it beckons us to delve into the elusive and captivating poetics of light—a substance whose meaning emerges and escapes amidst modulations and transparencies. To enhance the immersive experience, ambient sounds become integral elements within the installation.
As we progress through the labyrinthine walls, a series of messages materialize and vanish based on the viewer’s position—subliminal prompts encouraging contemplation for a better future. With an aspiration for heightened awareness and commitment, the messages echo the seemingly cliché yet fundamental notion of “A future for all,” underscoring the collective nature of our shared destiny.
Upon reaching the half-sphere-shaped light, a new space unfolds. A pristine environment devoid of visual and chromatic stimuli—pure white, accentuated by an air bed. In this unadorned sanctuary, the flickering light and resonating echoes of the words encountered along the journey become companions in a reflective space.
The future, though predictable, remains uncertain. Hence, it’s left as a blank canvas—a collective endeavor where, only through collective efforts, can we shape what lies ahead.
INDOORS INSTALLATION
Upon entering, temporary blindness ensues as the stark light marks our horizon. The sterile white light drains color, creating a scenario in black and white—a unique setting for a new sensory experience.
A labyrinth with 10 corridors, representing the 10 years remaining per the IPCC report, unfolds. Rectilinear silhouettes crafted from vaporous material house phrases, issues, and actions that materialize and vanish as we move, creating a poetic description of the passage of time. These reflections delve into contemporary social conditions, depicting social automation, collective consciousness, and the quest for solutions. The light plays with perception through shadows and projections—a reconfiguration of language and perception, reformulating communication structures into poetic amalgams transformed by light. The ambiance shifts with a cooler, more humid feel, accompanied by ambient noise simulating the symphony of the universe and the expansive journey through time.
The initial step into the room brings a moment of instability. The soft ground slows our pace, transforming the journey into a contemplative experience that briefly escapes the current frenetic pace. As we gaze back and forth, the scenario appears infinite, with reflections emerging on walls that double as mirrors.
This multisensory installation engages the viewer from the beginning to the visual closure, prompting a subtle and intuitive exercise that spans sensitivity and intellectuality. It offers a holistic impact on the perceptual system, from the eye to the skin.
Ensuring accessibility for everyone is paramount to us. The NOT FAR project places a strong emphasis on effective inclusion, fostering multisensory participatory dynamics through interdisciplinary collaboration. In line with inclusive practices, we will produce braille books and audio multimedia guides in collaboration with RNIB. Additionally, backpacks for the deaf community will be ofered, allowing them to feel and experience sound through membranes. The installation features two side passages on a solid floor, ensuring full accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Aligned with the principles of reusing, reclaiming, and recycling, all materials used in the NOT FAR project are eco-friendly, sustainable, or recycled. Our commitment extends to encouraging the recycling of waste materials at designated points or charities within Waltham Forest Borough. This approach not only promotes sustainability but also enriches the activities of these centers through reused materials.
A central objective of the project is to translate words into actions. Recognizing the importance of firsthand experiences, multimedia screens at the end of the installation invite visitors to share reflections and intentions regarding the future of our planet. This valuable feedback not only captures the neighborhood’s perspectives but also serves as a launching point for future installations.