One in Seven
installation
Numerous cultures world wide have references to double spirits and evil shadows, from German doppelgängers (double walker) to Irish fetch. Usually these beliefs have negative connotations, but in today’s context, the English word doppelgänger is used neutrally to signify someone with similar physical characteristics. Amongst all global traditions, the modern day belief that there are seven people in the world who look alike is both popular and fascinating. One in Seven, is an interactive paper installation illustrating this belief.
Solo Project for a college assignment
Materials: chart paper, aluminium foil, foil paper wrapper, spray paint, jute, wood, rope
The curious human mind is always seeking to build connections, and is hence, always searching, sometimes even waiting for a serendipitous moment to meet someone alike. The internet is abuzz with stories of doppelgängers and twin strangers meeting. But really, what are the chances?
Concept
A hollow heptagonal drum, with each of its internal faces covered with reflective sheets, surrounds the viewer. Of the seven reflective faces, one is clear, and the rest are uniquely obscure, representing the self and the undiscovered, respectively. This obscurity is attributed to the unfamiliarity of the other look-alikes.
Material Exploration & Prototyping
- sourcing reflective surfaces like silver spray paint, aluminium foil, silver wrapping paper, etc
- exploring different textures: grainy, smooth, matt, glossy
- suspension device using found objects - rope and embroidery ring
Mechanism
When One in Seven is rotated about its axis, with a minimum of 3 full rotations per second, these seven reflections will merge to create one image in front of the viewer, signifying the meeting of doppelgängers: all in one place, at one time.
To demonstrate in class, I suspended the heptagonal drum from a ceiling fan using rope. I could control the speed of rotation using a regulator.
