Electronic Gallery as a Generative Space towards the Contribution to Art and Design Students and the Learning Environment

 

 

E. Amir Sharji

Faculty of Creative Multimedia, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

e-mail: elyna.amir@mmu.edu.my

 

Dr A. R. Mohamed Eshaq

Faculty of Creative Multimedia, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

 

 

 

 

Abstract

The environment of Art and Design Faculty is a unique setting of traditions, beliefs, metaphors, concepts and ideologies that has been practiced and layered creatively as the years go by. Today, Art & Design schools are sprouting all over the world where each offers a different content and approach to the basic design syllabus. But this was not always the case. Traditionally artists learned as apprentices to other experienced artists and entered family business. Later they entered academies that flourished and evolved according to time and technology. The product of these schools often goes coherently with the education experience and learning environment. Looking at the evolvement of art schools, the issue that keeps protruding is whether we have a collective node or a common space that can collect, archive, exhibit and bring together all design activities in one multifunctional space. 

 

Multimedia has brought new paradigms to education where users are able to use the technology to create compelling content that truly represents a new archetype in media experience. The synergy of digital media is becoming a way of life where new paradigms for interactive audio-visual experiences of all communicative arts to date are increasingly becoming important.

 

The Electronic Gallery or e-Gallery of Faculty of Creative Multimedia, Multimedia University is under exploration to see how the gallery as a versatile hybrid container is able to cater for an educative environment which is growing and expanding with time and technology. It began with a basic space with the purpose of holding exhibitions, but as time and need evolve, the requirements require the gallery to be more of a generative space that can initiate art activities and education by being a platform and vehicle in acquiring knowledge and to hold various functions such as demonstrations, exhibitions, performances, discussions, classes, critique sessions, installations, archiving and others. More new media art and exploration can be created and held due to the possibilities offered by the gallery through its multifunction ability, its location and strategic accessibility for design students, its multimedia tools and equipment to suit different user and display different content, its role as a node and to bring together students with same interest in art to display and discuss their work, and lastly to generate the atmosphere and create a setting by offering a versatile space.

 

Creative ideas to enhance the learning environment will provide students a better setting for the deliverance and experiential organization design students are associated with a given space, through electronic intelligence and functionality, will not only be more responsive and efficient, it will also be programmable for wider range of activities and new creative scenario for the art education.

 

1. Introduction

The meaning of generate refers to the act of bringing into existence of being and to produce something as a result of a process [1]. Space on the other hand means a blank or empty three-dimensional area provided for a particular purpose [2]. Thus the purpose of this paper is to research on generative space, what space is all about and in what ways it could generate art activities and education. Architectural and urban space act as containers to accommodate, separate, structure and organize, facilitate, heighten and even celebrate human spatial behavior. Space is also needed for a change of mood, to establish relationship, to separate activities, to suggest appropriate behavior and creates settings which consist of space, its surrounding and contents, the people and their activities [3]. Different space offers different purposes according to the needs and function of the organizing body while some space are unconsciously used for specific reasons due to strategic location and availability of users and means. A study on space reveals many astonishing types, function and category of space, namely physical, interior, exterior, conceptual, perceptual, multi sensory, perceptual psychological, pictorial, mental and virtual space [4].

 

At the Faculty of Creative Multimedia, the education syllabus implements a fusion of digital media and art with strong foundation of the understanding of traditional elements of art inclusive of lines, shape, texture and light, and also position, context, duration, sound, rhythm, color, temperature, size, motion, height, direction, interaction and meaning [5]. Students with fascination for electronic arts are encouraged to sharpen their skills and knowledge in analog art thus the keen notion in finding ways for students to upgrade their understanding by providing ample and well equipped spaces for the generation of art. At the same time, a high level of prominence is given to seek better quality in the electronic arts as they derive their energy and fascination from the relationship between artist and machine. Attempts to automate art are increasingly successful as developments take place in artificial intelligence, artificial creativity and artificial life. [6]

2. Research Objective

Research is conducted to investigate the purpose of the mentioned e-Gallery and what it aims to achieve in its generative concept. Started out as temporary exhibition unit during students’ Portfolio Review, the gallery has evolved into a permanent electronic multi purpose hub that caters to the art education environment and is still growing to accommodate current technological requirements. The art education scenario at the Faculty of Creative Multimedia deals with analog and digital category covering the basic foundation art studies and five major branches of digital media art such as Film and Animation, Digital Media, Media Innovation, Interface Design and Virtual Reality [7]. The fusion of information and educative knowledge has set the art faculty community in need of a common node or platform of collecting and dispersing of art activities, thus the vital function of e-Gallery as a transformer of space that generates current technological information and knowledge. The study is also carried out to find out how the gallery is able to serve the current situation and provide for the future with the incorporation of additional functions, content and technology.

 

                                                                        FORM & SPACE

 

 

                                                                        MULTIMEDIA TOOLS

 

 


    GALLERY                                CONTENT

 

 

                                                                        ART EDUCATION

 

 

                                                                        ART STUDENTS & STAFF

                                                                        COMMUNITY

                                                           

 

Figure 1. Factors that are considered important in the planning and running of an e-Gallery and form the basis of this explorative study. The factors derived from literature review and past researches.

3. Methodology

3.1 Background Research

i.                     To analyze the location of e-Gallery in relation to the surrounding physical buildings and open space.

ii.                   To examine the function of e-Gallery towards contributing to surrounding spaces in the faculty.

iii.                  To identify the physical space and function, the aid of multimedia tools, the content, the users and the art activity in the e-Gallery.

iv.                 To discuss on how all contributing factor leads the e-Gallery to become a space generator for art community of the faculty.

 

 

 

3.2    Research Survey

i.                     Questionnaires were distributed to staff and students of the faculty as well as local and international visitors of the gallery.

ii.                   Interviews were conducted with Head of Departments and personals related to the gallery to investigate on benefits and problems associating with the art society and gallery.

4. Findings

After a set duration of time allocated for literature review, case studies and research survey consisting of questionnaires, interviews and experiments to controlled groups and settings, several important findings were recorded. They are divided into:

i.                     Diagrammatic linkage on e-Gallery and surrounding on space and function to analyze the relation and impact between space planning and location towards a generative art environment.

ii.                   Tabulation on e-Gallery’s function, aid of tools, content and users. This case study concentrates on the art education and activity that ensues in the gallery focusing on space function and activities.

5. Discussion

 

Figure 2. Relationship between buildings and open spaces that contribute to the advantages of e-Gallery being a generative space to the faculty.

 

 

It can be seen that the location of e-Gallery being right at the entrance of the faculty is at an advantage. The balanced percentage of open spaces and built up areas allow indoor learning activities to over flow to the atriums and foyers of the gallery. The pedestrian pathways that converge to one point at the gallery generates physical factor that leads people to the gallery. Small pockets of atrium ascend gradually as it approaches the open foyer creating an outdoor gallery area to cater for over flow of activity.

 

Physical Space

Open Space

surrounding e-Gallery

 

Set & Background Hall

Open Space

e-Theatre

Atriums

Design Studios

Entrance Foyer

Workshops

Recreational Atrium

Studio Labs

 

Production Area

 

Computer Labs

 

Administrative Office

 

Book Store

 

Art Shop

 

Café

 

Amneties

 

 

 

Figure 3. Correlation between e-Gallery and other spaces.

 

e-Gallery is supported by various multifunctional spaces essential to an art faculty. The location enables staff, students and visitors to pass by, acknowledge and participate in any events conducted. The planning of the buildings is linear with all blocks leading to the gallery resulting in an open space or entrance foyer in front of the gallery. This is in fact the main entrance to the faculty.

 

No.

Space

Function

Activity

Multimedia

Content

Human

 

 

 

 

Tools

 

Interaction

1

Foyer

Welcoming Area

Introduction

Computer

Faculty

Human and

 

 

Over Flow Area

 

Kiosk

Introduction

Machine

 

 

 

 

 

5 Majoring

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

www

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

Main Exhibition

Exhibition Purpose

Exhibition

Computer

Current

Human and

 

Area

Official Reception

Reception

Video

Exhibition or

Machine

 

 

Seasonal or Main

Multi Function

Projector

Function

Human and

 

 

Exhibition

 

Audio Visual

 

Human

 

 

Multi Functional

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

Analog Exhibition

Analog Art Works

Exhibition

 

Student and

Human and

 

Area

Painting

Archiving

 

Staff's Art

Art Works

 

 

Sculpture

 

 

Works

Human and

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

Presentation

Presentation on the

Presentation

Computer

Faculty

Human and

 

Area

Faculty or any

Discussion area

LCD Screen

Introduction

Human

 

 

Related Function

 

Projector

5 Majoring

Human and

 

 

 

 

 

Information

Tools

 

 

 

 

 

www

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related

 

 

 

 

 

 

Function

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

Discussion

Informal Discussion

Discussion

 

 

Human and

 

Area

Mini Class

 

 

 

Human

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

Demonstration

Demonstration

Demonstration

Computer

Demonstration

Human & Tools

 

Area

 

Presentation

Projector

Information

Human and

 

 

 

 

Screen

 

Human

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

Temporary

Temporary

Exhibition

Computer

Temporary

Human and

 

Display Area

Seasonal

 

 

Works

Machine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human and

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

Digital Interactive

Exhibition

Exhibition

Computer

Archiving

Human & Tools

 

Area

 

Surfing Information

Touch Screen

 

 

 

 

 

Games

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4. Tabulation on e-Gallery's Space and Function, Aid of Tools, Content and Users.

 

Activities that have been generated by the space includes exhibitions by staff and students of the faculty, seasonal and temporary exhibitions by invited artists, interactive and archived information for any users, presentations and demonstrations using the multimedia tools and projections, discussions, mini classes and talks organized for an appropriate number of audience. It is in current planning to add to the activities, educational happenings such as more installations of digital media, more interactivity in games and tools of transferring knowledge, more virtual reality and space simulators and the advancement of delivering basic information and knowledge so as to enhance it to become more creative and interesting. The activities can be enhanced if the allocated spaces are prepared and designed to accommodate them with implementation of modern technology.

 

 

6. Conclusion

A checklist consisting of attributes that influence and benefit essentially and fairly as well as disadvantage factors that does not contribute to the gallery in generating a hybrid hub for the art society is the key factor of conducting the study. The analysis derives from the questionnaires that were distributed and interviews conducted.

 

Checklist of Attributes that Contribute to e-Gallery to Enhance It

to Become a Generative Space for Art Education and Activities

 

 

No

FORM & SPACE

 

 

1

Size of physical space is important and is determined by the functions and activities

 

allocated.

 

 

2

The spaces can be divided into:

 

i. Permanent and Temporary Exhibitions

 

ii. Presentation Area

 

iii. Demonstration Area

 

iv. Discussion Area

 

v. Analog Exhibition Area

 

vi. Digital Exhibition such as VR, Simulators, Installations, Interactive Games

 

and Archiving Database

 

 

3

The diversion is needed for better concentration of activities.

 

 

4

All spaces should be equipped with appropriate multimedia tools and gadgets with

 

current technology.

 

 

5

The spaces should be accessible with proper planning with public and private spaces

 

as well as spaces with high-end equipment should be under full security.

 

 

6

Adequate amenities should be provided for breaks such as café, resting area,

 

wash rooms and outlets.

 

 

7

Libraries, reading room, surfing centre and such are a bonus if applied.

 

 

8

Multi Functions can all happen at the same time if different spaces are provided.

 

 

 

No

MULTIMEDIA TOOLS

 

 

1

All multimedia tools should be installed after a detailed survey on the functions.

 

 

2

Current technology in hardware and software should be applied where appropriate.

 

 

3

Number of usable tools for visitor's usage should be an ample number for comfort.

 

 

4

A variety of tools are needed to ensure creativity and outputs from students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

No

CONTENT

 

 

1

Content can be divided into:

 

i. Analog Exhibition

 

ii. Digital Exhibition

 

iii. Archiving Database

 

iv. Information about the Faculty

 

v. Information on the 5 Majoring Offered

 

vi. Interactive Activities such as Games, VR Simulation etc.

 

vii. A channel to hyper link to other Art Community Centre.

 

 

2

Sufficient content will ensure satisfaction of different groups of user such as:

 

i. Students

 

ii. Staff

 

iii. Local Visitors

 

iv. International Visitors

 

v. Art & Design Corporate Departments

 

 

3

Different level of age, gender and background group of visitors should be the main

 

criteria for preparing content.

 

 

4

Content are also designed for different functions such as:

 

i. Education

 

ii. Entertainment

 

iii. Art and Design Activities

 

iv. Corporate and Management purpose

 

 

 

No

ART EDUCATION & ACTIVITIES

 

 

1

Identify what art activities should be held at the gallery.

 

 

2

Identify the space needed, the tools required and who will participate.

 

 

3

Activities that can be performed as such:

 

i. Brainstorming or Discussion of Ideas and Projects.

 

ii. Critique Sessions

 

iii. Presentations and Installations

 

iv. Exhibitions

 

v. Archiving

 

vi. Workshops and Seminars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No

ART STUDENTS AND STAFF COMMUNITY

 

 

1

Comfort and ability to concentrate on each function is essential.

 

 

2

When designing the space, allocation of human anthropology, human comfort space

 

and human interaction requirements should be taken into consideration.

 

 

3

For exhibitions, all art works either analog or digital should be exhibited and installed

 

for a targeted number of visitors at one time. A study on human comfort to use one

 

particular space for a function at one time should be analyzed.

 

 

4

To create a community hub needs proper research

 

on how to make the space work through:

 

i. Activity

 

ii. Multimedia Tools & Equipments

 

iii. Space

 

iv. A communicative community of same interest group

 

v. Advertising and promotions

 

 

 

Figure 5. Checklist of Attributes that Contribute to e-Gallery to Enhance It to Become a Generative Space for Art Education and Activities.

 

e-Gallery generates not only basic activity found in an art gallery but more towards place setting in a campus where it creates more educational and social activities through its existence. The community is able to make use, participate and interact with the new ideas that transform an empty space into multifunction usable vicinity. The paradigm shift not only takes place indoor, but it subconsciously generates ideas and opportunities for the faculty and visitors in upgrading creativity, education and knowledge, use of multimedia tools to assist teaching and mode of exhibition and above all, it activates a society that is in need of a communal node to talk and discuss art. The exploration that has been done and in progress research translated into the checklist shows that the implementation and upgrading of all key factors may need more gallery space to accommodate more activities and creative functions as more multimedia tools are needed for a variety of purposes, especially the specific need of each faculty majoring.

References

  1. Houghton Mifflin Company (2000), The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company.
  2. Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary (2002), Merriam-Webster, Inc.
  3. Lawson B. (2001), The Language of Space, Architectural Press.
  4. Ooi G.L. and Thomas T.W. in Chua B.H. & Edwards N. (1992), Public Space, Singapore University Press.
  5. Buick J. in Mealing S. (1997), Computers & Art, Intellect Books.
  6. King M. in Mealing S. (1997), Computers & Art, Intellect Books.
  7. http://www.mmu.edu.my