Object......React with Johnny Hardstaff

I definitely think Johnny should come back up for another workshop - The only criticism I put down for the course feedback was that I enjoyed shorter briefs and one/two day briefs.

I visited the museum on Monday as I couldn't make the Wednesday trip. There were some fascinating items in the museum but for a certain reason I really connected with my chosen object. I thought It had a brilliant use and stood for something much bigger than its physical size.



I took this photo of the butterflies as the reflection in the glass showed the lights trailing down the wings. I thought it could be an interesting concept to have a butterfly display with small perforations in the wings which light shone through. One thing I was impressed with at the museum was the lighting of the animals and insects. Some of the bats and birds wings were beautifully lit.




The object I chose in the museum was a pair of gold eye covers which are placed on the corpses eyes before mummification so that they are able to see in the afterlife.



After Johnny came into brief us I realized the logical reaction I had to pursue with the object was to brainstorm ideas for how the exhibition could become an experiential museum exhibition. My ideas was to have the whole exhibition appear as if you were walking into an embalming chamber or a pyramid. Atmospheric lighting that flickered as if candle light, ambient sounds of whispers and prayers/spells being read out. Shadows projected through the surroundings. The information about the pieces would be printed onto sheets of cotton or papyrus that would hang from the ceiling. Screens fitted into position in the brickwork would demonstrate how the objects would be used and handled to give the objects context and purpose. These screens would have a thin, light material over them to fit into the environment. My idea for my object was that a large gold eye would display an animation of what a dead Egyptian may see when they cross over to the afterlife. Moving Hieroglyphics would transform slowly above the items referencing the objects which were displayed underneath. A voice over would be activated when a person approached the area and question their own visions of the afterlife - what do they believe they will see in their afterlife?