Arch1101-2011 Jessica Zhang: March 2011

Above ground artist: Mueck Concept: Hyper-realistic

Below ground artist: Banksky Concept: Challenge

The upper gallery has a skin of glass. It is designed this way to allow natural lighting to illuminate the gallery. Mueck's sculptures focuses on the weak and fragile aspects of human such as pregnancy, the unconscious. The glass skin resonates with the artist's work by having the same fragile character. The concept for upper ground gallery is hyper-realistic.Sice Mueck's works are considered to be hyper-realistic and I believe that hyper-realistic is not only about highly graphical representation. In fact, I believe the word describes the overwhelming experience of the be-holder when confronted by the art work. My design of the gallery was to produce an experience that overwhelm the be-holder and enhance the effect of the art work.

The studio below ground corresponds to Banksy's works as it focuses on the concept of a challenge. The ironies embeded within Banksy's works are challenging to the public's mind and sometimes a challenge to their acceptance. The tower-like structure symbolises this concept.

The landscape is to imitate a non-living, futuristic garden that consists of only metallic sculptures of trees and man-made hills. The idea is to challenge the visitors with the images of the unforgiving truth of our future.

Material selection of the upper gallery evolves around a light, transparent outer-shell and an strong, rough interior. Glass is the top choice for the outer-shell and strong materials like steel and concrete form the bold lines of the interior.

The below ground studio consists of mainly glass walls attached to concrete structure.

Stairs I used in the model

The spiral stair is a combination of concrete plate and glass to give it a light character that corresponds to Mueck's sculptures

The stairs are made of concrete so that it stands out from the glass walls. The concrete steps seem to float on air which evoke a sense of insecuriety, it is also a psychological challenge to the visitors.

Texture I used