Installation Concept
- What is the concept?
A contemporary version of the ‘Willow Pattern Plate’ that was designed by Thomas Minton in around 1790 that quickly became quite a well know symbol throughout England. It will feature a more modern day perception of China and visualise some of their more notable current issues.
- What does it look like? (how big, what colour, what does it make you feel?)
The original design was traditionally in blue on a white plate. There is an old Chinese poem that replicates the willow pattern quite well. It seems like there was no story to the design, but there have been several stories spring up around it including all of the features listed in the poem.
“Two birds flying high, A Chinese vessel, sailing by. A bridge with three men, sometimes four, A willow tree, hanging o’er. A Chinese temple, there it stands, Built upon the river sands. An apple tree, with apples on, A crooked fence to end my song.”
The contemporary remake will feature smoking factories instead of elegant houses and congested transport instead of a solitary boat, but shall be done in the same style. This is supposed to encourage the realisation that this is no longer how China is pictured in foreigner’s minds. It will be a similar size as the original so only those who look closely will notice the difference.
- How will you make it? (materiality and source, making techniques)
I am hoping to be able to design the art for it on a computer, transfer it across to the plate using an adhesive and then bake a glaze over the top of the design. It is quite possible this will not work though and I may be forced to employ a much more complex technique to create the plate. Of course I shall try and use an already formed plate so that I only need to focus on the design rather than the entire product creation.
- Two sketches of the concept
- Two precedent images of art installations that are relevant
http://www.spritestitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/blue-and-white-pokemon-plate.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IQOEQimwog/UP8s0ygFIBI/AAAAAAAAOtk/S9DR3gZ13h4/s1600/communists.jpg
- Two images of making techniques you are thinking of using.
Image Manipulation Software Pottery Kiln
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Raku-pottery-kiln.jpg
Design Discourses
1. Contemporary and futuristic personal transport in China is being designed using current technological knowledge and developments, and will therefore be useless when it is released (2030). 2. The population density in Singapore has a profound effect on the psychological well being of it’s inhabitants. This can be resolved through the improvement of systems design in the country. 3. The poor structural integrity of China’s economy is likely to incur fatal fluctuations resulting in the deterioration of the world’s newest upcoming superpower. Their export market is gradually moving to other countries, removing the foundation for China’s success. 4. Singapore’s inability to tackle income inequality is likely to leave older generations financially stranded with little assistance. 5. Alternative energy transport being developed in Singapore is futile as it relies on electricity for power, which in many ways is more taxing on the environment than emissions from petrol.
timmatsonrmit 
