Designer Research: Ann Hamilton

Ann Hamilton is an American Visual Artist well known for her large multimedia installations. What I love about her work is how its large scale makes it more elegant. Hamilton also with her installations creates a space and atmosphere with such simple yet effective designs. A prominent feature of her work that really interests me is how her installations are very interactive.

This project “the event of a thread” by Hamilton really highlights and emphasises interacting with the piece. What I love about this design is how the textile is altered and manipulated by those who encounter it. Large swings used by the occupants cause the large design to influence and move which changes the experience of those lying beneath it.

This project “habitus” by Hamilton emphasise form and movement and how these influence each other. This design is a series of circular curtains that rotate when initiated by the pulling of the long ropes hanging from the ceiling. What I love about this project is how the form is manipulated by the movement which is a result of the human interaction with the space. This piece really interests me in the idea of occupants being able to influence a space to their liking, giving that freedom.

This project “air for everyone” also investigates the manipulation of form through movement as a result of an uncontrollable factor, nature. What I find interesting about this design is how the sheer, delicate and elegant textile directly contrasts the old, hard, weathered building. Again, I love the manipulation of form through movement and also how this allows a visual representation of movement and air flow.

When further developing my own design I want to consider more how the occupants of my space can influence and interact with the space and design. I also want to look more into how I can design a space that takes a visual record of movement and uses this to manipulate the experience and atmosphere.