As our Degree Show and GFW will no longer be taking place due to the current climate, I was not fully concentrated on how I would be displaying my work. However, I do think this is an important stage of the FMP as I have been creating a body of work with an audience in mind, so I should still be considering how I would have gone about this- regardless of whether the actual event could go ahead or not. I have always envisioned displaying my cards in an immersive/interactive way, as playing cards are an object that symbolize unity and collectivism (the function of playing a game/betting, the ‘house of cards’, suit groups etc.). I had planned to have my space filled with my cards in a range of sizes, some life-size, some standard card size and some in between. This would have been a response to the order and rules of cards, breaking the regulations and functionality- and creating a slightly surreal space (as if we were in the game). After researching more about the concept and incorporation of cards in fashion and art; I found a lot of creative ways they have been displayed and wanted to take my concept a step further. The larger cards would have to be propped up against the walls but I would also have a variety of sized cards hanging from the ceiling so there can be some motion and movement captured by the suspended cards. This would also allow my viewers to see the card from all perspectives- seeing both the front and back of the card at the same time.
To really immerse the observer, I would be playing some sort of table or block in the middle of the exhibit with a playing card set up with instructions (a game such as rummy that does not require suits) to remind them that these are the natural function of the cards. I believe having this aspect incorporated in the exhibit is really important, as the game juxtaposes the concept of the playing cards and will define the aims and purpose. As I have been experimenting with making GIF’s from my playing cards, I thought I would have these playing through a projector at the back of my exhibit. This glitched GIF’s will reflect the darker nature of the cards and ask the viewers to reconsider what they take away from the pieces.
