Though an installation, the exhibition Four Corners Gateway, examines how history and memory construct us as individuals and construct our national and personal identities and worldviews. All such constructions are ultimately fragmented and fictional. This body of work points at how ideologically formed, subjective narratives are made into ‘truths’. Connecting the personal with the public is my way of playing with history and its paradoxes. The resulting landscapes that I construct can be read as archives of fragments.

Though an installation, the exhibition Four Corners Gateway, examines how history and memory construct us as individuals and construct our national and personal identities and worldviews. All such constructions are ultimately fragmented and fictional. This body of work points at how ideologically formed, subjective narratives are made into ‘truths’. Connecting the personal with the public is my way of playing with history and its paradoxes. The resulting landscapes that I construct can be read as archives of fragments.

In 2001 when this research commenced, there was little understanding in Saudi Arabia of the opportunities digital art could provide for artists, how it could be integrated with or used instead of painting, and the effects the enlarged vocabulary could have in communicating difficult social issues. As a result, this study aimed at filling a gap in knowledge through reviewing contemporary Saudi art. This, in turn, helped me to understand the position of my practice. The study also aimed at developing a means of expression in which traditional art can be combined with digital media and showing how this combination provides a new direction for Saudi art by raising awareness in Saudi Arabia about complex issues. In addition, the study aimed at determining the acceptability of this new form of art to artistically literate Saudi artists through gathering audience’s reactions to the developed artefacts. This study comprised of several stages: discovering the state of art in Saudi Arabia and where it fits into the global stage; documenting my journey as an artist and understanding my practice; the creation of the installation and its reception, all of which was documented in a reflective journal. Through reflecting on my practice, I transformed my work from simple traditional pieces of art to more complex installations concerning everyday gender politics. I interviewed 20 practicing artists, noting that the majority of their work used traditional forms of art rather than digital art. A week-long exhibition on gender differences in Saudi Arabia was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The feedback from the exhibition showed that, although there is not a strong appreciation of digital art in Saudi Arabia, the audience was able to understand the different components of the installations and the underlying issues being portrayed. They were able to bring their own experiences to the situation and reflected on the installations accordingly. The study contributes to knowledge by providing a review of contemporary Saudi Artists as there is no significant literature that documents this in Saudi Arabia. It also contributes to knowledge by exploring and developing artefacts that incorporate different technologies and by showing that digital media and traditional art can be used together to articulate complex social issues arising in everyday Saudi life. Finally, it fills a gap in knowledge of how Saudi audiences engage with works that use a combination of traditional and new art to express such issues.

Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Blake Belanger / Metropolitan Kansas City is a growing area, and the communities are considering new transportation options including a fixed guideway system. The addition of a fixed guideway system is often seen as controversial to people of the communities it affects, and many will not be in favor of it. Rail lines are great option for transportation because they are designed for the efficiency of getting people from place to place. However, they typically do not offer much of a visual experience to commuters. Making the transportation corridor more than just a transportation corridor through interactive, art installations will open people up to the idea of a fixed guideway system, provide trail users with destinations, and provide commuters with something interesting to look at creating a vibrant, visual experience. The RIC will become a place of destinations, recreation, vibrancy, sustainable features, and visual stimulants through the connection of the rail line, MetroGreen trails, installations, and the RIC communities. Locating literature related to the commuter rail, visual design, experience, aesthetics, and sustainability helped to determine how these elements fit into this project. Conducting precedent studies helped set guidelines for the design of installations. A process of using certain specifications in ArcGIS determined general suitability for installations resulting in twenty-eight identified sites. The development of a basic design framework through a set of matrices involving installation attributes and site conditions helped to determine site suitability for specific types of installations, which allowed me to develop a design specific to the site conditions taking the number of suitable sites down to twenty-one. Each site has a set of parameters specific to each installation. Some sites are fully designed and developed, while others are to be commissioned out to artists for design and development. This set of proposals presents a vision of the RIC as a place of destinations, recreation, vibrancy, sustainable features, and visual stimulants through the connection of the rail line, MetroGreen trails, installations, and the RIC communities. The transformation of the corridor through art installations enhances people’s experience of the corridor, promotes both the rail line and the MetroGreen trails, connects people to the corridor, and encourages sustainability.

Apresenta uma abordagem do cenógrafo como artista autônomo capaz de elaborar e materializar narrativas próprias, além de acercar-se daquelas já existentes. Um artista que transita por diversas áreas de linguagem, cuja produção coloca a cenografia como protagonista no contexto das Artes Visuais, das Artes Performáticas e da Museografia. Identifica e analisa as intersecções, o ENTRE, das linguagens distintas, nas quais o cenógrafo expressa-se artisticamente: cenografia, instalação e expografia, definindo o termo \'desenho da cena\' para referir-se à produção nas distintas áreas e em suas intersecções. Adota o conceito de \'desenho da cena como experiência\' para tratar da relação e impacto entre o desenho de cena e o indivíduo. Destaca a produção da autora dessa tese, seus \'desenhos de cena\', como objetos de análise, produções realizadas durante o período vigente dessa pesquisa, de 2011 a 2015; complementando, pontualmente, com produções de relevância de outros autores, que elucidam as intersecções e colaboram para análise do tema. Projetos curatoriais recentes que apresentam relevância e influência nas práticas artísticas contemporâneas no campo do desenho da cena são também selecionados para análise, destacando aqueles que aproximam a teatralidade da prática da performance no âmbito da galeria e do museu, estabelecendo distintas possibilidades de percepção e participação do público. Através da abordagem sobre o papel do curador, discute-se o valor potencial na validação dos processos artísticos, consequentemente, do reconhecimento do trabalho de designers de cena como \'obra\'. Essa tese, busca subsidiar a reflexão sobre o processo criativo alinhado com as linguagem e ferramentas da produção artística do cenógrafo na atualidade, na intenção de motivar o artista a deflagrar processos transformadores, inspiradores e que combatam à estagnação e à repetição do mesmo fazer, que provoquem a reflexão sobre a prática e seus processos continuamente, e que possivelmente apontem para aspectos relevantes de sua formação. / Brings up the performance designer\'s attitude, as an independent artist able to develop and materialize own narratives. An artist who moves through various languages areas, whose production places the design for Performance as the protagonist in the context of visual arts, performing arts and exhibition design. This research project aims to Identify and analyze the intersections, the practice In-between of distinct languages, in which the designer expresses artistically through the theatre design, art installation and exhibition design. Adopts the term \'performance design\' to redefining and to refer to the practice in different areas and the intersections, assigning forward the concept of \'performance design as experience\' to address the relationship and impact between performance design and the human being. Highlights the author\'s production of this thesis, her \'performance designs\' as objects of analysis, developed during the current period of this research project - from 2011 to 2015; complementing, punctually, with relevant productions from other authors, which collaborate for analysis of the topic. Recent curatorial projects that demonstrate relevance and influence on contemporary artistic practices in the field of performance design are also analysed, emphasising those approaching the theatricality of the practice of Performance within the gallery and the Museum, establishing distinct possibilities of perception and interactivity. Through the approach of the today curator\'s role, discusses his influence on the validation of artistic processes, therefore, the recognition of the work by performance designers as \'art\'. This thesis seeks to support thinking on how to bearing creative processes lined up with the aesthetic demands, language and tools of artistic production of the performance designers today. Especially on how to motivate the artist to trigger inspiring processes that can combat stagnation and repetition, transforming their practices and provoking a continuous development; also possibly pointing to relevant aspects of their training.

Apresenta uma abordagem do cenógrafo como artista autônomo capaz de elaborar e materializar narrativas próprias, além de acercar-se daquelas já existentes. Um artista que transita por diversas áreas de linguagem, cuja produção coloca a cenografia como protagonista no contexto das Artes Visuais, das Artes Performáticas e da Museografia. Identifica e analisa as intersecções, o ENTRE, das linguagens distintas, nas quais o cenógrafo expressa-se artisticamente: cenografia, instalação e expografia, definindo o termo \'desenho da cena\' para referir-se à produção nas distintas áreas e em suas intersecções. Adota o conceito de \'desenho da cena como experiência\' para tratar da relação e impacto entre o desenho de cena e o indivíduo. Destaca a produção da autora dessa tese, seus \'desenhos de cena\', como objetos de análise, produções realizadas durante o período vigente dessa pesquisa, de 2011 a 2015; complementando, pontualmente, com produções de relevância de outros autores, que elucidam as intersecções e colaboram para análise do tema. Projetos curatoriais recentes que apresentam relevância e influência nas práticas artísticas contemporâneas no campo do desenho da cena são também selecionados para análise, destacando aqueles que aproximam a teatralidade da prática da performance no âmbito da galeria e do museu, estabelecendo distintas possibilidades de percepção e participação do público. Através da abordagem sobre o papel do curador, discute-se o valor potencial na validação dos processos artísticos, consequentemente, do reconhecimento do trabalho de designers de cena como \'obra\'. Essa tese, busca subsidiar a reflexão sobre o processo criativo alinhado com as linguagem e ferramentas da produção artística do cenógrafo na atualidade, na intenção de motivar o artista a deflagrar processos transformadores, inspiradores e que combatam à estagnação e à repetição do mesmo fazer, que provoquem a reflexão sobre a prática e seus processos continuamente, e que possivelmente apontem para aspectos relevantes de sua formação. / Brings up the performance designer\'s attitude, as an independent artist able to develop and materialize own narratives. An artist who moves through various languages areas, whose production places the design for Performance as the protagonist in the context of visual arts, performing arts and exhibition design. This research project aims to Identify and analyze the intersections, the practice In-between of distinct languages, in which the designer expresses artistically through the theatre design, art installation and exhibition design. Adopts the term \'performance design\' to redefining and to refer to the practice in different areas and the intersections, assigning forward the concept of \'performance design as experience\' to address the relationship and impact between performance design and the human being. Highlights the author\'s production of this thesis, her \'performance designs\' as objects of analysis, developed during the current period of this research project - from 2011 to 2015; complementing, punctually, with relevant productions from other authors, which collaborate for analysis of the topic. Recent curatorial projects that demonstrate relevance and influence on contemporary artistic practices in the field of performance design are also analysed, emphasising those approaching the theatricality of the practice of Performance within the gallery and the Museum, establishing distinct possibilities of perception and interactivity. Through the approach of the today curator\'s role, discusses his influence on the validation of artistic processes, therefore, the recognition of the work by performance designers as \'art\'. This thesis seeks to support thinking on how to bearing creative processes lined up with the aesthetic demands, language and tools of artistic production of the performance designers today. Especially on how to motivate the artist to trigger inspiring processes that can combat stagnation and repetition, transforming their practices and provoking a continuous development; also possibly pointing to relevant aspects of their training.

As If It Were One Day is a multimedia art installation that chronicles patterns of light, movement, and sound, channeling the fluidity of time within the newborn phase of familial living. After giving birth to my daughter, I spent the next seven weeks observing these elements and recording them via video. The resulting art installation acknowledges my efforts to navigate my current life as an artist and a mother, my past battle with postpartum depression, and my consequent gravitation toward light.

The master thesis studies the value of light art installations as a tool to raise awareness, communicate messages,inspire people and create social engagement to take action and deal with important issues. Additionally, it researchesthe lighting characteristics that have to be considered in order to create a high emotional response. Three case studieson light art installations tackling environmental issues were selected to understand the tools that makes themsuccessful. The final result of the thesis is the design proposal for a site specific light art installation to raise awarenesson droughts and its effects - following the CLUE competition 2019 guidelines - and create social engagement to fightthis major crisis. Specifically, the installation uses daylight in combination with shadows and reflections, in order toachieve the purpose of the installation. In the interest of creating a strong emotional response from the visitors,brightness, color, dynamics, contrast and direction of the perceived light were used to change the visitor’s perception ofthe space. The thesis concludes with the discussion of the evaluation of the installation to prove how effective thedesign is to achieve its purpose on raising awareness on droughts and the presence of the 7 light characteristics inorder to create an emotional response from the visitors.

Artists, designers and writers have long employed ambiguity as a tool in compelling their audience to deduce a personal meaning to their work. As computing becomes less of a strictly workspace, task-oriented phenomenon and more of a ubiquitous, life-space one, it is increasingly important to consider the intelligence of the user in the design of everyday computer-based things. Support of multiple user interpretation through ambiguity is an element whose appropriate inclusion in system design can compel the user to deduce a personal interpretation of the system's meaning and utility. The work in this paper explores the process by which users may come to deduce a meaning to an ambiguous work, both as individuals and collaboratively. Incorporating elements of ambiguity, we created SenSpace, an immersive physical environment that embeds the Greek myth of Narcissus within itself. The subsequent user study provided insight on the process by which naïve visitors may come to deduce their meanings of a work, both individually and collaboratively. Our results showed that there exists a trade-off between a user's level of interaction and depth of the interpretation of the multimedia environment. We also show how ambiguity can be used as a design method, by incorporating observed user expectations into the system. This paper uses experimental evidence to advocate the design of systems that support not only the system goal the designer has in mind, but also the multiple perspectives and meanings that the user often brings to the system. / Master of Science

Soviet-era Communism was a project of emergence that failed to realise its Utopian ambition. Nevertheless, it created an unprecedented simulacrum whose visual language was appropriated by a number of artists as a readymade. This artistic response to everyday reality shaped an unofficial narrative of the Communist epoch. Operating beyond the official realm these artists were subject to varying degrees of censorship, and their activities led to what became known as ‘non-official’ art. Non-official artists suffered from inferior materials, lack of exposure, and were forced to radicalize their methods of production. Without official support the everyday domestic realm and a diverse range of outdoor sites became sites of production. The primary arena, however, and the one that would become the most politicized, was the artist's body that often acted as one or both material and surface. On the one hand the thesis takes the Communist context as a common platform from which to discuss time-based art practices in Eastern Europe while, on the other, it proposes that such a general view is worthless since it does not pay sufficient attention to the particular conditions within each bloc country. While the former serves as a reference for artistic response in a wide view, the latter provokes a deeper, more contextualised, understanding of the social, political, and cultural conditions that ultimately shaped non-official art. To understand fully the effect of the Communist past also involves analysing it through the lens of the present day. A number of works produced pre- and post-1989 are analysed that offer insights into the past, its disintegration, and the transition period. The theoretical and critical thrust is shaped from primary research material gathered from artists, intellectuals, and critics throughout the region, so as to most clearly reflect its own contemporaneous and unfolding discourse. It builds on these key sources and underscores the difficulties faced when trying to locate the works within existing art history canons. Together with this written element, a further two curatorial strands complete the form of the thesis. A website has been created that reflects the thesis enquiry, three re-enactments of historical works are undertaken as a strategy that allows for a more experiential understanding of context, and three new performances devised by the author in response to the contexts researched complete the work. The thesis was written throughout Eastern Europe, and primarily in Poland where the author lives and works.