Summer Design Project Numero Uno

Project Poem was based around the concept of Maya Angelou's Alone.  The idea behind the poem is that no one in this world can make it out there all by their lonesome.  Further insight into the piece reveals that the statement could be more closely related to the sense that we, as human beings, need companionship in order to cope with life.  Angelou points out in the poem that there are "some millionaires with money they can't use.  Their wives run around like banshees, their children sing the blues."  This reflects how the so called "victim" of the poem is not actually alone, but rather does not necessarily desire the present company.

Now, as far as the design goes, let's start from the entry point.  As the audience starts on the path, they can see a portion of light from the bottom of the wall.  The sound of the performer (who is trapped behind said wall, reciting the poem) can escape to draw attention.  This is meant to bring the audience to wonder what is going on just around the corner.  When they reach the corner, a ramp descends before them.  To the left of the ramp are elements that change in spacial gaps and angles to offer varying views into the structure.  As the audience descends down the ramp, their view of the performer becomes more clear.  However, they are also getting further away from the performer as far as height goes.  Now, around the other corner is another ramp that ascends back up to the same level (height) as the performer.  And again, as they get closer, their view becomes less and less until eventually diminishing altogether.  The result of all this:  never, at any point, are the audience and the one together.  This creates a sense of solitude for the performer, which can also be seen by the audience.

The second effect at work during all of this is the "need" or "desire" of both parties.  Notice the spaces for both the performer and the audience.  The performer has plenty of room complete with shelter.  However, they are confined to that area, unable to leave.  The audience has a rather narrow path and absolutely no shelter.  But, unlike the performer, they are free to move around the path and leave whenever they desire.  So, on one end, you have the performer who has a large space and shelter, but also the need for freedom and companionship.  On the other end, you have the  audience (which, by the way, is a group of 2 or 3 people) who have freedom and companionship, but the desire for a bigger space to circulate and shelter from the elements.  All of this ties into what Angelou was trying to state:  "that nobody, but nobody can make it out here alone."