Behind the Scenes
Behind the Scenes
Embedded Files
Scroll down to find out what the artists had to say about bringing this series to life.
Scroll down to find out what the artists had to say about bringing this series to life.
3 questions with Jon Max Goh
3 questions with Jon Max Goh
(above) Jon Max Goh, artist behind Ignite & Into the Fire receiving the 2015 Designer of the Year award at Parsons School of Design.
What sparked the idea behind your work?
What sparked the idea behind your work?
When I was conceiving the artworks for both sites, I wanted the natural daily action of travelling through these spaces to inform the way the artwork would be received by viewers and passers-by.
For Site 1, being at the main entrance of the school, it was important for me that the artwork could contain a duality of its message - encapsulating both what we bring into the school as we enter: who we come as, and a reminder of what we take with us when we leave: who we go as.
As for Site 2, I imagined the experience of being passionate and driven about something as an act of stepping into a life-giving fire. Consumed, ready, while beautiful and daunting.
At the end of the day, it was important for me that the 2 works would not only beautify the school, but be easily memorable and meaningful for students, as well as teachers who live the mission of La Salle every day.
(above) An initial Photoshop sketch for Into the Fire.
(right) Choosing holographic textures & colours for the mural.
(above) Into the Fire being installed as layers of holographic vinyl stickers.
How has your Lasallian education help you to express the life, vision and mission of our founder, St John Baptist De La Salle?
I believe it has allowed me to see, understand, and live firsthand, the tremendous impact that he has given to us, most especially through our educators who pass through these halls.
For me, it was really important that the artwork I created also celebrated and recognised the life and mission our teachers live and breathe for us.
Without their sacrifice, passion and dedication, many of us would not have received the kind of holistic and warm education we’ve been so privileged to receive at SJI.
Their lives and service are, to me, a testament of the legacy St John Baptist De La Salle sought to sew, throughout the world. My artworks and interpretation of the life, vision and mission of our founder, are a celebration of them.
(left) Subcontractor ensuring the wooden panelled structure is stable and safe for use.
(above) Preparation of wood pieces in woodshop.
(right) Assembling the ocular structure took about a week.
(above) Early sketches and reference images of Ignite.
(left) The lenticular structure on installation day.
(above) Subcontractor measuring the wall to ensure the work appears level.
(left-right) Images of SJI community members posing as silhouette references for Ignite.
What takeaway do you wish for viewers to have after seeing/experiencing your work?
I would like each viewer to feel a sense of connection, familiarity and mutual understanding no matter the background or role they play in the world.
Whether we are teacher, student, staff or guest –– our Founder’s story is one that reflects the journey each of us has to go through in life, at one point or another.
We are all called to be of service to another. We all carry a unique spark and flame within us. We all have the gift to burn bright as we lead our lives in this world.
I hope we can be united in that calling, and as we reflect on the works, be reminded that no person or action is too small to be significant.
Many thanks to subcontractors TCSPA and Jacky Printing for bringing Ignite and Into the Fire respectively to life.
3 questions with
Glen Heng & Jason Cheong
3 questions with
Glen Heng & Jason Cheong
What sparked the idea behind your work?
What sparked the idea behind your work?
We wanted something interactive, tactile, that has a presence. We wanted to engage with the site that has its beauty and power, and try our best to showcase the qualities through the installations. We also wanted it to change, adapt and reflect time, slow the viewer down, to appreciate his/her thoughts, surroundings and find meaning in his/her current journey.
(above) Jason Cheong and Glen Heng, artists behind Snuffed Out & Rekindling.
e30f5f86-6383-495a-b7ec-5e01745bdefe.mp4(clockwise from top left)
1: Developing sketches that visualised user interaction
2: Sketch-up 3D modelling of an earlier iteration of the work featuring more rectilinear furniture
3: Further developmental sketches for different shaped structures that would play with the different types of daylight at the location
4: A 3D model visualisation of an earlier iteration of the structure
How has your Lasallian education help you to express the life, vision and mission of our founder, St John Baptist De La Salle?
It has helped us to question our own beliefs and set that as a firm foundation in our endeavours. It has helped us to be outward looking and find better ways to serve others. It has also helped us to be more inclusive, and love different people from all walks of life.
video_1_0dfaab55c8ed4992b11b261ffb24b514.mp4
(left) Subcontractor ensuring the wooden panelled structure is stable and safe for use.
(above) Preparation of wood pieces in woodshop.
(right) Assembling the ocular structure took about a week.
(above) Earlier sketches for a net-like iteration of Rekindling inspired by Janet Echelman's free-flowing sculptures.
(above) Both images show a 3D visualisation of Rekindling at the amphitheatre.
IMG_6845.MOV(above) Subcontractors working on cutting the various pieces of acrylic and wooden panels.
What takeaway do you wish for viewers to have after seeing/experiencing your work?
Places of reflection, but more so to reconnect with nature by appreciating the sight and sounds that we often neglect. Hopefully this triggers some thoughts or memories that would engage the soul and help one to persevere on his/her journey.
(below) On the left is one of the penultimate design iterations featuring the green and blue waves. The remaining images show the final design being assembled together.
Many thanks to subcontractors Baremetalco, CutAnything and WoodenThoughts for bringing both Rekindling and Snuffed Out to life.
3 questions with Bonaventura Kevin & Viany Sutisna
3 questions with Bonaventura Kevin & Viany Sutisna
What sparked the idea behind your work?
What sparked the idea behind your work?
In our early discussions of the theme Sharing the Light for the mural, our first sketches depicted a large group of people or a community in different formations, demonstrating the aspect of a sharing and growing community.
Eventually, these ideas were heightened through the selective weaving of the site and context into the work. Located near the chapel, the mural took contextual cues from the beautiful colors and geometries of stain glass windows. To embed the mural within the site, we used the floor tile pattern and continued them from the horizontal surface of the floor up towards the vertical surface of the wall. We also ensured that every one of our characters were inspired by actual photos of SJI events and activities, ensuring that the overall work would be reflect the school community as accurately as possible.
(from left) The artists' site measurements during their initial site visit; Preliminary digital sketches where the artists considered using the underside of the staircase; Inspecting a rendered face during the painting process.
(above) Compositing of images taken from the school's Flickr account to explore compositional arrangement and to study the various body gestures and poses that the school community could often be seen in. The artists also began to explore a fragmented background that echoed both the tiled floor as well as the stained glass motif in the Chapel.
How has your Lasallian education help you to express the life, vision and mission of our founder, St John Baptist De La Salle?
The school has played a large role in developing who we have become today. Ultimately, the strong Lasallian pedagogy, supportive teaching community and attitude towards service has left a deep and lasting impact in our interactions with others in life.
(above) One of the many illustrated renderings that the artists came up after the photographic compositing stage.
(clockwise from left) The artists also explored a radial distribution of figures to have the viewer be greeted by members of the Josephian community. This arrangement was eventually picked for further development.
(above) Bonaventura & Viany posing with the Pristi Prints team that helped to install the vinyl sticker.
What takeaway do you wish for viewers to have after seeing/experiencing your work?
The space of the mural should be a place of reflection, a place of gathering and a place of meaning that is representative of the school community. We hope viewers are reminded to “walk in the light” following the example of our founder, St John Baptist De La Salle, and inspired by the school community to keep the flame burning.
Many thanks to subcontractor Pristi Prints for bringing both Sharing the Light to life.
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