Elvia Vasconcelos’ presentation on research methods provided a helpful structure to make sense of our raw data. We used her thinking to create a What > Why > How > Hypothesis chart.
After sleeping on it we came back with some modes of interaction with people. One of the first ideas was to provocatively improve the space with bean bags. We assume this would massively change the duration of time and specific activities people do in their space over time. Another would be a performance of sleeping, as this is usually banned in privately owned public spaces.
Finally the last idea, inspired by the doodles on the UAL manifesto in the LCC entrance, lead to an idea of a thought provoking question of the peoples experience on the space and having them respond through penmanship on the paper.
We eventually circled back to the core of our data collection; the paper on floor art. We hypothesised that artwould have a perceived higher value being in proximity of the Tate Modern. Measurable through their behaviour in response to it.
We set about designing some art to be blue tacked to the floor as direct remix/comparison the art we observed in the turbine hall. The objective of the graphics was to provoke confusion through neutrality as to whether this was thoughtful art or a cheap mockery.
I ran a quick A/B test with my designed asymmetric line and an icon reflecting‘abstract’taken from the The Noun Project. I got responses of hatred to describe the line and Thames water for the second icon. Obviously we couldn't have a brand association in the project, so that had to go. We then decided to each design our own to compare. I went with my line, Kristina with a prior art piece of hers and Tammy a carpet.
We tried two locations, one with fair distance from the turbine hall building entrance, with some mild interest, and secondly in a corridor of trees off to the side of the river facing entrance. This is where we gained much better results with higher footfall and greater constraint to where people could walk.
This is both about the respect a person gives to the art and the perception of what is art.
An art gallery was something we were initially hesitant towards in regards to what we would be able to do in, however, over time over our multiple visits, it seemed they were open to people being free. Even after completing our project outdoors, in sight of the doormen, no questions were asked as we entered.
There’s much evidenced of the restricted behaviours in pseudo public space, however, at the tate at least it appears as long as you’re civilised, the public nor the establishment will dispute.
