to Mars

Yes, we make artificial sun light for illumination. We build ourselves huge architecture for shelter. We live busy lives that embraced by high technology which connects you and me. But we still feel alone. Being with the woods that provide shelters, flowing water in the rivers that nurtures us and the sun that powers us, we fear of the loss of all the lovely moments with the nature. So we send out aircraft hoping to find a backup as well as neighbors.

Then, in Mars……

Ship

In a mall that covers a whole block, we can spend one day just for walking, shopping, playing games and watching movies. You don't need to bring dinner. There are fast food stores. You can enjoy the natural landscapes made by human here. There are fountains, trees and flowers inside the building. There are even "ships" for indoor transportation.

Warm

We cannot live without light, which comes from the sun during the day. So when the sun is hiding from us at night, the first thing is to light up the place that we stay.

Dance of Pendant Shadow (new version)

Usually in a shopping mall, customers' attentions are drawn to the commodities and cannot notice other objects. It was weekend and commodities were on sale, many people walked into shops and walked out with bags. But few people stayed at the lower level where I found a fountain. Looking down from upstairs, I saw a small pool and very quiet place. As the only audience, I watched the dance performed by the shadow of the pendant in the water. Click the image to watch.

The Flowing Light (new version)

I was waiting for bus in the street. It was dark at night. The most eye-catching thing was the light in the street at that time. But lights are very different. The white light in buildings is pretty bright and steady. The lights from lamps on the tops of each building are flashing and brisk. The lamps on the lampposts cast soft and warm light on me and other people. When I captured the lamps using my camera, they ejected gorgeous flowing lights. Just click the image and watch.

Strategy

My image-taking strategy is: I only capture images under artificial light.

In Drift_1, I have recorded some sounds in a public area (Estabrook Park) that people widely enjoy the interaction with natural body. The natural bodies in Estabrook Park include river and woods. For drift_2, I tried to find a place which has a different function in urban area and also includes nature body. Hoping to explore people’ interactions with natural body, I went to a downtown public area which is next to Milwaukee River. I walked on several streets back and forth around The Shops of Grand Avenue and tried to find answers for ten questions:

1. Are there any natural bodies in the area or at least very close?
2. Are people interested in interaction with natural bodies?
3. How do people interact with the natural bodies?
4. Are there any natural sounds in the area?
5. Can I hear the sounds of natural body or the sounds of interaction between people and natural body very clearly?
6. Can I single out the natural sounds or at least the sounds that human interact with the nature?
7. What do I feel when I hear the natural sounds?
8. Is there dramatically difference of ambient sound if the weather condition changes?
9. Is there any architecture which is designed in a style which fits the natural environment in the area?
10. Can I only see nature if I turn to any direction in the area?

My exploration in drift_2 provides interesting experience to me and some answers to my questions. People enjoy surrounding by natural bodies even in many urban areas including shopping mall. Some promising ways are developed to allow the appreciation of landscapes. For instance, hotels and restaurants are built on the riverside.



When you have a dinner by the riverside, you can also have the view of lights on the water. But I was alone enjoying the beautiful view outside because it was winter!



Walking over the water on the skywalk and watching the views on the riverside are agreeable.



Even though when you are a little far away from the river, you can also draw the sun on the floor and move some trees into the hall.

Drift Map #2

View Larger Map

This is my drift_2 map.In the green shadow area, I walked in the street and skywalk around The Shops of Avenue taking pictures under artificial light.My sounds were also collected in this area.