/library/oar/handle/123456789/36988 2025-12-26T22:24:01Z 2025-12-26T22:24:01Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/37485 2020-05-25T07:22:51Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Soft(ware) sculpture : spatial and temporal interventions in audio-visual media Abstract: ‘Soft(ware) Sculpture’ is a re-articulation of the notion of sculpture developed in this thesis to reflect sculpture’s new relationship with software and the consequent emergence of new forms of sculptural practice and sculptural artefacts, which through digital technology are able to sense their environment and become reactive to it. ‘Soft(ware) Sculpture’ is therefore composed of a multitude of fluid relationships in constant motion across time, dimensions and realities. The notion of ‘Soft(ware) Sculpture’ was developed by the author from a re-articulation of expanded arts practices that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. Contextualised through research that was conducted in sculptural and media arts histories across multiple artistic disciplines, these practices were re-evaluated and extended upon through the application of current digital technologies overlaid on the author’s existing sculptural practice, thus connecting material, time and space in order to explore possibilities previously beyond the remit of sculpture. Conceptual, historical and technological precedents were identified and utilised as foundations for the development of the frameworks that lead the software sculpture fusion. This study re-examines the relationships and the roles of sculpture with and within a constantly changing, technologically oriented society through the emergence of software as a mono-medium, more precisely, as a medium that has grown to encompass most of the technology that preceded it. The practical body of work that accompanies this thesis advocates the fusion of the conventional sculptural ‘object’ and the digital medium to create both a ‘sculptural ecology’ and a ‘sculptural situation’, read within this study as macro and micro-states of a new breed of sculptural artefacts that are fluid in both appearance and behaviour and that in themselves are also capable of creating artistic artefacts. Description: PH.D.DIGITAL ARTS

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/37482 2021-03-01T11:14:44Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Datafication as a contemporary artistic process : an exploratory research into eye drawing using an eye tracker Abstract: This research ivestigates the implementation of recorded data into a contemporary artistic process. Data from an eye-tracker was used as a replacement of the traditional practice of drawing. This entailed a shake up of the conventional hand-eye coordination present during any drawing activity by limiting it to a strict brain-eye exercise. The artist’s ‘talented’ hand was therefore obliterated from the practice’s equation, and the role of an artist and a beholder levelled. The exercise of eye drawing through the use of an eye-tracking device brought forth a new and unnatural way of looking at the world, as intuitive eye movements were suppressed into the following of contours along the observed worldview. The natural impulse to refer to the curvilinear hand motions while drawing was also restrained. These concepts we explored throughout this research’s methodology, alongside possible artistic developments from the generated data and the establishing of an eye-tracking device as an intriguing artistic medium. A communal eye drawing experiment was also conducted which resulted in surprising outcomes of very individualistic scanpaths, comparable to ‘graphological’ elements. The implementation of an eye-tracker as an artistic medium also gave the possibility to test a preliminary algorithm, ‘correcting’ an eye drawing by comparing it to the actual world view. The latter’s experiment results can be important grounds to consider for future development in the manufacturing of ‘eye drawing’ devices designed to give individuals with physical hand impairments the opportunity to draw from the real world through the use of their eyes. Description: M.A.DIG.ARTS

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/37425 2020-05-20T07:36:13Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The goodnight light : an illustration project involving the interaction between colour, fluorescents and ultraviolet to ease fear of darkness in children Abstract: This dissertation explores the vivid outcome of the interaction between ultraviolet and fluorescents to help ease fear of darkness in children. This study aims is to make use of powerful visual elements such as colour and illustration and enhance their impact with ultraviolet light. In-depth interviews and questionnaires were conducted as part of the research methodology in order to gain alternate perspectives of the subjects at hand. The participants and interviewees were chosen based on their level of profession and knowledge within the topic. The collected results were deeply analysed, reviewed and coded using different analysis techniques. The final project was carried out on a basis of the knowledge and findings that emerged from the research. In conclusion, the study expanded on the interaction between light, colour and illustration, both as tools of communication as well as artistic media. During the design process, it was kept in mind at all times that the aim of this dissertation is to serve as a form of therapy for children who are afraid of the dark. The practical project was then deeply analysed to point out strength and weaknesses as well as bring out suggestions for further studies. Description: B.FINE ARTS DIG.ARTS

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/37397 2020-05-20T07:33:56Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A visual urbanization of Mount Sceberras under Ottoman rule Abstract: This study aims to substitute the period of the Knights of St. John with an Ottoman rule through a hypothetical scenario. This is communicated through an audio-visual representation of the imaginary development which would have evolved during the period between 1565 and 1798. The main theme revolves around the kind of settlement Mount Sceberras would turn out to be under the new rulers. Through research into Ottoman architecture, and interviews with local academics, the findings of this research are portrayed through a fusion between architectural elements using tools such as 3D modelling and computer animation. Description: B.FINE ARTS DIG.ARTS

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z