DREAM

We began our orientation module by sketching our actual dreams, rather than our aspirational ones, to gain insight into our subconscious thoughts and emotions.

A subconscious vision of dream scape.

These initial sketches represent my first interpretation of the 'Sketch a Dream' brief. They capture some parts of a vivid dream, where I found myself navigating a surreal, game-like world filled with obstacles. The dream unfolded as a series of challenging environments, each with its unique trials. I've illustrated three locations which I could recollect in which I was trapped.

Sketch one depicts my toes curled over the water's edge, a crocodile's jaws wide open, ready to snatch me. The once-calm pool now turned to have hidden predators, an obstacle course of scaly bodies to navigate.

Sketch two transports me to a barren wasteland, where I'm the sole presence. Without warning, a swift arrow strikes towards me. With no time to react, I reflexively raise my hand, as if it could shield me from the impact.

In the third sketch, I'm trapped on an endless ladder, heights intensifying my fear. Still, I climb with determination to escape. I dare not look down, fixing my gaze upward, seeking solace in the rhythmic climb.

Amalgamated visions of the three dream scape.

Following my initial presentation, I tried to push the boundaries of my dreamscape by merging the three disparate environments into a singular, cohesive sketch to create a space. This challenge required me to have the essence of each space. The task was difficult: to create a fluid, dreamlike transition between vastly different landscapes, each with its unique obstacles, while maintaining the continuity of a singular dream unfolding.

Amalgamated dream scape using the concept of Snake and Ladder.

With guidance from our Teaching Assistants (TAs), I made my second draft, merging the three dreamscapes into a cohesive whole. The TAs' insightful feedback introduced me to the 'Snake and Ladder' concept, which gave me a new direction to think of my game-like dreamscape. This approach allowed me to reimagine my narrative as a three-dimensional volume, adding depth and spatial complexity to the surreal landscape.

During the orientation module, we divided into groups to exchange insights on our dream drawings. Through lively discussions, we discovered a common thread: the feeling of being trapped. Each dreamscape shared elements of absurdity and discomfort. Building on this collective understanding, we converged on the 'maze' concept as our central theme. This collaborative artwork embodies the fusion of individual skills and perspectives

Our drawing process began with the core concept of a maze, leveraging staircases as the primary visual element. We manipulated staircase designs to convey feelings of entrapment and absurdity. Experimenting with varied scales, disconnected landings, and seemingly infinite loops, we amplified the sense of disorientation, strengthening our central theme.

Next, we translated our 2D dream sketches into 3D installations, a thrilling yet daunting challenge. Our task was to preserve the essence of trapped absurdity while transforming flat drawings into volumetric spaces. Under the guidance of our TAs, we crafted intricate staircases, imbuing them with depth and dimensionality to create immersive, thought-provoking environments.

Summarized parameters of the installation