Adela Julis I MAGCD

The fountain is meant to be a decorative object, but people engage with the place in many different ways. I focused on the fact that even though the fountain is meant to be a decorative object, people have been redefining that through different kinds of activities leaving the purpose an open question with ever-changing answers. “A place to rest, a place to laugh, a place to eat, a place to protest, and a place that has many different ways to be seen…..” The aim was to create my way of seeing the chosen place and visually capture the open question of the fountain’s different purposes that people give to the place through their actions and doings. 

I collected several items that “don’t belong”, the proofs of people’s engagement around and inside the fountain. Mostly pieces of garbage. Using paper and paint as a medium to capture and imprint the objects, I created a set of 7 patterns/ prints that have been digitalised and collected together into a set of “diagram/mappings like” outcomes. I used things like a piece of silicon with typography on it, a piece of something squashy and spongy like probably a dog owner left there, coins, a paper cup sleeve from Pret, a wooden fork and a plastic bottle cap.

Those patterns were later on scanned/digitalized and cut into the different shapes of the fountain. Finally, I took the created patterns and put them together into the shape of the fountain, combining those prints and generating a number of original variations. 

Based on the first feedback and the tutorial session, I have decided to continue with a method of visually describing the fountain through different categories such as colours, typography or simple pattern. I focused on the fountain being constructed from even geometric shapes. I returned to the place and paid close attention to the three primary materials of the fountain: stone, metal, and water. I closely described what the materials feel and look like, following the methods George Perec (1999) describes in his book ‘The Neighbourhood’ and ‘The Town’ from Species of Spaces and Other Places.

However, after further investigation and feedback, I realised this was not the right way to go. The main point of interest for me that I wanted to further investigate and visually communicate was that the fountain is meant to be a decorative object. Still, people engage with the place in many different ways. Giving the fountain several new purposes. A place to rest, a place to laugh, a place to eat, a place to protest, and a place that has many different ways to be seen. However, the current phase of my experiment wasn’t answering my point of interest and hit a dead end.

References: Perec, G. (1999) ‘The Street’, ‘The Neighbourhood’ and ‘The Town’ from Species of Spaces and Other Places. pp 50-55. London: Penguin

The first brief of Unit 1 was exploring different methods of investigating and “seeing” through the lenses of a graphic designer. Selecting a site or a place of our choice, we were supposed to visit the place and observe it through different methods, coming up with 3-4 experiments to present to a class.

I have chosen one of the fountains in Trafalgar Square. I focused on the materials and looks of the fountain but also on people and their engagement with the place. Through different methods such as taking pictures, notetaking, sketching, mapping etc. Eventually, I created a few experiments to share in the tutorial.