The Pink Lawn
This experiment challenges the standard color rules by creating the surreal. The spray painted front lawn obtained a variety of results, not only because the pink is such a startling shade but because the spray painted grass stands out so much from its context where a normal lawn is green like any other typical Squirrel Hill residence. It attracts immediate attention from people walking by and always evokes a reaction whether positive or negative. The pink is complementary to the natural green context and becomes a prominent contrast to the context. Since the lawn is a perfect square in front of an ordinary home, it creates an effect that is noticeable by everyone walking by.
The pink lawn received numerous types of reactions from people, especially when they would realize that they were being observed from inside and they would promptly change their reactions. Under observation, people became too intimidated to respond. Several people would walk by just staring at it. Some groups of two would walk by and talk to each other for a couple seconds. It was interesting to see the reactions of drivers who would look over at the grass, not necessarily slowing down, but it would not go unnoticed. The lawn remained pink for about 4 weeks and it quickly began to lose its effect as people who would walk by it daily quickly became accustomed to the space. As the pink began to fade and the grass began to die, the lawn area will remain as a constant in the face of something to temporary. The added element of time is also important because exposure to the vibrant unnatural color makes it become irrelevant. Place also becomes a crucial factor because if it were a permanent installation, new people would constantly be in contact with it and the effect would continue.
The Pink Space
The pink space commanded the room as it was the first thing people saw as they walked into the space and the pink would bring attention to the installation itself. It showed the light coming into the window and how powerful it could be. The unnatural feeling of the pink makes the space intriguing but also, those who stayed in the room for too long it became less relevant. This space focused on the initial impact of seeing the space and how it can affect people.
As the day went on, the color of the pink became different and affected the mood of people. The large amount of pink amplified the feeling that people had either there was an appreciation for it, or if people found it annoying or ridiculous. Being in the pink space would become overwhelming after time and upon leaving the space, all the other colors would become amplified. If the amount of pink in the room were to be diminished, it may not have the same effect. It had enough to make an effect on people’s feelings of excitement but also annoyance.
The Pink Lights
The final experiment began with spray painting the light bulbs in the transition spaces and bathrooms at my house. The downstairs bathroom is smaller so the lighting became significantly more intensified and the bathroom upstairs has a taller ceiling with a window in it so people were able to reflect back out to reality. The lights outside were meant to have an element of surprise as people come to the house since they were sensor lights. The light would capture the user in a state of shock along with the other lights. These exterior lights would set the mood and precedent for the entire house. As people would take a break outside they would become accustomed to the light but people walking by would pass in confusion. Although this experiment was helpful to analyze the idea of how much time was needed for the exposure of pink, the perception of pink became a focus rather than a study of “feeling” pink and allowing the user to be immersed by the color. Pink space was more about pinks relation to the normal surroundings rather than the perception of the color.
Project Pink
The visitor becomes completely immersed in the color. While the other experiments were more concerned with pink spatial perception, this experiment was more experiential in the application of pink. This blitz installation, was created in two days by spray painting plastic sheets and hanging them on the walls, floor, and ceiling in an abandoned tenant space. An artificial environment is created with the color pink where the user is completely surrounded by a single color (monochromatic) experience. The eye is accustomed to receive a wide range of colors simultaneously and this overwhelming use of a single color disrupts the retina.
A party became the method to immerse an audience in an extended amount of time as people began to feel comfortable rather than just a gallery opening where people come and only stay for 5 minutes. The research from the other experiments highlighted the importance of time and by throwing a party. It became an environment that people were living in and people were genuine in their experience where they accepted their environment and just interacted with other people and just have a good time, while being immersed in pink.
The Pink Pavilion
The relationship of the color pink to nature has always been significantly relevant to my thesis. While nature is never classified by just the color green, by setting pink in the context of grass field, this dramatic and simultaneous contrast creates a jarring experience. This park is aimed towards a younger age group since mostly kids use the fields to play soccer and baseball. Since the color neon pink is often perceived as a fun and exciting color, this location has the opportunity to work well for the users.
The Pink Transition
In this transitional space, the user is pulled through linearly only to stop at a moment of interruption characterized by a cylindrical zone created for the individual: a reflection of one’s self. This cylindrical space is unique to the linear progression and these moments force the user to pause. As the users’ progress continues, they pass through several controlled and narrow alleyways which ultimately expand to incorporate this pink space. As the user reaches this zone, the pink serves to cleanse and filter all exterior stimuli from the intensified monochromatic experience. In contrast with the park experience, which establishes a social sharing experience, this linear path becomes a much more individualized experience where the user is prompted to reflect introspectively and ignoring external factors.
