"What If" Metropolis OGR 1
What if Metropolis Ogr by Grace Sansbury Chance on Scribd
Invisible Cities Thumbnails (Armilla)
Here is the start of my thumbnails for our Project Invisible Cities, Focusing on the city Armilla. One of the main thing which I though Armilla looked like was that this city of pipes, baths and taps were on a platform that overflowed over the edge and created a waterfall effect as he said it could be seen as enchanting like a teacup and saucer was overflowing. I feel like my lines could have been clearer so it is easier to see the thumbnails and what everything is.
OGR 04/11/2018
ReplyDeleteHey Grace,
Thanks for being patient! So, I think there are 2 big challenges to this project, and especially with your artist. The first is trying to find some 'design room' for yourself in terms of Fischinger's very simple abstract shapes so you're not just re-drawing his shapes, and secondly thinking more specifically about which bit of the city you're going to select for your digital set. In terms of investigating his forms more architecturally, I think you need to think much more structurally and 'real world' - and look at the ways in which Fischinger's lines and shapes relate to architecture in terms of contouring and construction - here are some 'real world examples' to give you a bit more confidence!
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/560627853600750299/?lp=true
http://www.cladglobal.com/CLADnews/architecture_design/Ennead_Architects_reveals_Shanghai_Planetarium_designs_by_Tom_Wong/314422?source=search
https://www.amusingplanet.com/2015/12/5-unusual-circular-buildings.html
(If you look at Fischinger's drawings - particularly all the lines/contouring - you'll see how these could be translated into the structuring/frameworks of some of these big statement buildings above!).
In terms of your travelogue itself, the one thing missing from it is an embrace of movement itself, and also technology - Fischinger was a pioneer of modernism/modernity, so I think maybe there's some pointers here in terms of 'which bit' of your Metropolis you and your artist might be designing together. What you want from your digital set is a scene that can speak to the essence of your collaboration together, so in light of Fischinger's interest in film, projection and music, I wonder if maybe you're looking at designing some kind of Fischinger-inspired arts centre/cinema/concert hall etc? You often find that when big cities commission these kind of spaces, the architecture is often pretty spectacular - some further examples to inspire!
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story/sydney-opera-house-facts.html
https://www.dezeen.com/tag/concert-halls/
https://www.dezeen.com/tag/art-centres/
https://www.dezeen.com/tag/cinemas/
https://www.dezeen.com/2018/05/04/planetarium-snohetta-norway-solobservatoriet/
So - in summary, I think you need to look at some big bold real world architecture to move you past just re-drawing those same geometric shapes etc to get you thinking about scale, and construction, and how you might scale-up some of those shapes to a city-sized idea (and that means really looking at, and thinking about, all the little things like glass, material, doors, windows, balconies, lighting, and so on). I also think you need to think more specifically about your 'hero prop' - so the focus of your digital set - a building/environment/landmark etc - that is especially able to pinpoint the interests/values/influence of your WIM collaborator. This will help you move more confidently into the concept art stage.