Sculpture created by Alisha Bennett and Zahra Kader
Our decision to combine elements of terrarium/forest-based elements and technology are artistic approaches and communicates the ways that we interact with our environments. The super 8 and other cameras almost sprout out of the table, as if they are growing. Our reliance on technology outweighs our need to connect with nature. In a world full of media engagement, we rarely seek meditation and comfort within a botanical setting unless accompanied by something else. The ways we photograph sunsets in their beauty and take pictures of gardens instead of basking in their glory. The camera acts as a snapshot and memory device that conveys their beauty projected on a screen. However, there is something artificial and non-belonging combining technology and vegetation. They don’t co-exist in a habitat, its only a manmade function. It feels futuristic, even though the cameras used in the video are not up to date with the standard of technology in this day. It’s an irreversible future where the cameras used in the sculpture are being seen as artefacts and old treasures, planted in our past. We continuously advance in technology, yet we don’t notice the ways our environments are changing and adapting to our causes.
This sculpture is also purely artistic, and an approach in combining greenery with technology. It was a beautiful process and reminded us of the beauty of freshness in this artificial world.
The video is a montage that also combines our recording of the sculpture presentation and the video slideshows that the cameras are playing on the laptop and tv screens. The overlay of clips feels overwhelming and a bit confusing as this is an illusion and the cameras aren’t actually projecting anything. Almost like an insider look into the camera, its performed aesthetically. I also edited the sequence to maintain engagement as I feel a simple camera pan around the sculpture would miss the impact as the location was a classroom setting. With the overlay it can help blend colours and showcase the video slideshows that are playing on the screens. Overall, I enjoy the sculpture video presentation!
This sketch is the beginning of imagination and ways we can create even more challenging yet inspiring media sculptures.
