Playgrounds

Animation and Collage

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Preparatory Work & Visual Experimentation

Looking at ‘Time, Place and Memory’, I explored playgrounds in relation to my childhood memories. As there is a lot to explore with the idea of playgrounds, I segmented my visual investigation into multiple areas, looking at the familial and cultural significance, dynamic forces and visual elements of my childhood playgrounds.

For my research process, I started by looking at my family albums, collecting images of my younger self and my family at the playgrounds. I superimposed some of the images as it was intriguing to see how there were some taken at a very similar perspective, even though they have been taken years apart. I then studied the negative images of the facilities to study its visual forms and structures.

Forces

To investigate the forces involved in a playground, I first used the method of illustration to highlight the ups and downs, drawing on and manipulating photographs.

However, it was challenging to fully visualise the forces using this method, and so I tried to recreate motion using the scanner by physically moving the printed image of a swing and slide.

Collage

Exploring the visual elements of the playgrounds, I was inspired by artist Jenny Odell and used images taken from the satellite function of Maps to create concept-specific collages, combining two of my childhood playgrounds.

Pattern

Expanding my investigation, I generated digital patterns that are inspired by sections of playground facilities, extracting their colours, shapes and lines. Through this process, the original tactility of the playground is flattened.

Final Body of Work

In the animation, we follow a memory marble’s dream-like journey through the scenes of Hong Kong. I aimed to express the cell-like pattern, verticality and interconnectedness of Hong Kong playgrounds whilst conveying the idea of ‘play’ and motion.

For the overall animation, I decided to use colours that were based on the primary palette, as studies depict how red, blue and yellow are the most appealing colours to a child’s developing eye.

Sound is an important component to my animation. The combination of visuals, pre-existing and original soundtracks, such as a recording of Hong Kong's stop lights, has allowed me to effectively share my childhood memories of Hong Kong.

Concertina Guidebook

As a lot of my animation requires context or experience from living in Hong Kong, I made multiple mini concertina guidebooks for the exhibition to make sure visitors are able to understand the story behind my animation. I also displayed a collection of marbles for the audience to bring home, forming their own memory marbles.