Performative Media - Assignment 1 & 2

Proposal

Reflection

This assignment has given me valuable experience in creating meaningful and logical content for projection mapping. For this task, we were required to design interactive media content projected onto a building, and I chose the Sydney Opera House with a theme centered on marine life. Previously, I knew little about either the marine ecosystem or the Opera House. However, during my research, I discovered that Australian authorities are committed to conserving marine life by building living seawalls and artificial reefs. These efforts have led to remarkable findings, such as the discovery of an "octopus garden" and endangered seahorses in Sydney Harbour near the Opera House. This fascinating discovery inspired my theme for the projection mapping. The Opera House's location by the water and its architecture, which resembles ocean waves, creates a perfect connection between the audience and the theme.

In terms of ideation, my initial concept was a simple ballet performance of marine life, with fish dancing and corals swaying. Then I had a more compelling idea: to make the content engaging and aesthetically pleasing while also incorporating educational value. This inspired my five thematic segments: Whisper of Creation – the origin of life in the ocean, The Hidden Tapestry Beneath the Waves – biodiversity in the depths, Shadows Over the Blue – threats to our oceans, The Green Promise – hope through conservation, and Tides of Tomorrow – the ocean’s future in our hands.

Each segment is carefully crafted with a specific purpose. I start with Whisper of Creation, introducing the origin of marine life by depicting the collision of particles that created the first living organisms in the dark void of early Earth. This leads into The Hidden Tapestry Beneath the Waves, which showcases small, vibrant sea creatures, evoking happiness and the pure joy of nature without human interference. In the next scene, Shadows Over the Blue, humanity's presence brings sudden threats to the ocean. Rather than using unattractive images of pollution, I aim to maintain visual appeal by transforming plastic bags into jellyfish and oil spills into painterly visuals. This approach conveys the issue while preserving audience engagement. Following this, The Green Promise highlights Australia's conservation efforts, such as the living seawalls and artificial reefs, which have led to the resurgence of endangered species. Finally, Tides of Tomorrow concludes the show with a grand "fish ballet," celebrating the ocean’s resilience and beauty.

The content flows through emotions: curiosity, joy, wonder, realization, and finally, awe. Throughout the ideation process, I focused on ensuring each segment logically connects to the next while maintaining audience engagement. This assignment taught me critical thinking for content creation, empathy for audience experience, and how to balance content with technical and spatial considerations. While I haven’t yet learned the technology behind projection mapping, I am proud of the content I've created and look forward to gaining the technical skills to bring it to life.