The Pentagon

INTENTION

In the evocative realm of artistic inspiration, the tapestry of influence was woven together from threads drawn from the literary landscape of J. G. Ballard's visionary 1975 novel, "High-Rise," and the neon-lit cyberpunk dystopia depicted in Robert Longo's 1995 cinematic masterpiece, "Johnny Mnemonic." These sources of creative genesis beckoned the artist to embark upon a journey into a speculative future—a future wherein society had been distilled and confined to the claustrophobic confines of a self-contained pentagonal monolith, a mechanized construct steadily divorcing itself from the warm embrace of nature and the grounding touch of reality.

Within the pentagonal colossus, an intricate and unsettling social stratification emerged, much like a sprawling metropolis condensed into a single edifice. The upper echelons of affluence nestled serenely in the lofty heights of the structure, while the less fortunate found themselves ensnared within its shadowy underbelly. This microcosmic realm devised its own set of rules, an alternative order that defied the conventions of the external world. Within these pentagonal walls, the moral compass that once guided humanity was systematically deconstructed and twisted into a grotesque parody of its former self, conforming to the emerging jungle of human existence—a brutal, unforgiving landscape where survival was not guaranteed, and the veneer of civilization rapidly eroded.

In a poignant nod to a seminal speech delivered by Margaret Thatcher at the outset of the film, the video piece deftly blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality, entwining the fictional dystopia with the stark truths of contemporary existence. The resulting narrative underscores the enduring relevance of profound issues—issues of social hierarchy, unchecked capitalism, and the omnipresent, often insidious, influence of technology. It is a stark reflection of a world where the specter of these concerns looms large, casting a shadow that extends far beyond the confines of the artist's creation.

RESEARCH TOPIC

In a contemporary era where the veil of unquestioning trust in the veracity of photographs is steadily thinning, Andreas Gursky's artistry, which masterfully exposes the inherent naivety of the medium, is quietly fading into obscurity. The notion that pictures unfailingly serve as transparent windows into reality has crumbled, leaving behind a landscape marked by ambiguity and a kaleidoscope of alternate truths.

Amidst this shifting terrain of visual representation, the genesis of a creative odyssey was ignited, propelled by an arresting image capturing the construction of a building on Prince Street. This singular photograph became the canvas upon which the artist embarked on a transformative digital reconstruction. The aim? To transmute this tangible reality into an ethereal realm of architectural fiction, one poised to unravel the profound interplay between edifices and the essence of the human spirit, or conversely, the indelible influence of humanity upon the architectural canvas.

Within this newfound dreamscape, an imaginative construct was born—a realm where high, middle, and low-class denizens coexist within the self-contained embrace of a towering citadel. Here, the very heartbeat of existence thrives within the sinews of the building itself, birthing a microcosm that harbors all the necessities of life, from shops and sports facilities to schools and more. This architectural utopia renders the need for external excursions virtually obsolete, save for the daily pilgrimage to one's occupation.

Yet, as in all human endeavors, imperfections and fractures occasionally mar the otherwise pristine façade of this self-sustaining marvel. It is within these structural hiccups that the fragile equilibrium of social order teeters on the precipice, threatening to cascade into a maelstrom of discontent. Within the towering confines of this architectural wonder, a microcosmic reflection of society at large unfolds, as the three strata of inhabitants, once harmonious, begin to harbor resentment toward one another. Inevitably, the specter of societal disintegration emerges, painting a portrait reminiscent of the haunting allegory of "Lord of the Flies."

Thus, within this labyrinthine exploration, the artist ventures beyond the confines of traditional representation, transcending the boundaries of mere imagery to craft a vivid narrative that probes the complex symbiosis between the built environment and the human condition, ultimately exposing the fragility of both.

TECHNOLOGY

This artistic endeavor unfolds as a meticulous alchemy of transformation, weaving reality and imagination into a captivating tapestry of visual narrative. It commences with the humble genesis of a singular photograph, captured amidst the enchanting backdrop of Edinburgh's authentic urban tapestry.

From this unassuming source material, the artist undertakes a metamorphic journey—a journey that bridges the realms of reality and fiction. Within the crucible of creativity, that singular image is imbued with an alternate architectural identity, transmuted into a breathtaking edifice of the mind's design. This newly envisioned structure, with all its intricacies and nuances, is rendered into the realm of three-dimensional existence.

This digital resurrection unfolds within the hallowed sanctuary of an image box, a space where the laws of physics and light bend to the artist's will. Here, the meticulously designed surface materials of the fictional construct come alive, sculpted by carefully curated illumination. Multiple light sources converge, each akin to a virtuoso performer in a symphony, dancing with choreographed grace to accentuate the contours and facets of the virtual model. Frame by frame, the artist orchestrates this luminous ballet, capturing the elusive essence of the constructed masterpiece in a visual crescendo of unparalleled beauty.

Within this captivating narrative, the enigmatic "time-travel" tunnel emerges as a pivotal conduit, beckoning the viewer to embark on a journey through the corridors of temporal flux. This ethereal passage is meticulously realized within the digital realm of Blender—a realm where boundless creativity finds its home. An animated camera, akin to a celestial voyager, charts its course through the intricate labyrinth of time, its trajectory meticulously mapped against a backdrop of radiant luminescence. The very materials that form the foundation of the pentagon building are repurposed to construct this monumental vessel of temporal transcendence.

In this masterful fusion of technical prowess and artistic vision, the boundaries of reality blur, and the viewer is invited to traverse the delicate seam that separates the tangible from the intangible—a journey that transcends the confines of mere imagery to embrace the realm of sublime visual storytelling.

REFERENCES

ACADEMIC:

1. High-Rise (1975) - J.G. Ballard

2. Johnny Mnemonic (1981) - William Gibson

3. Neuromancer (1984) - William Gibson

4. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968) - Philip K. Dick

5. Snow Crash (1992) - Neal Stephenson

CREATIVE:

1. Johnny Mnemonic (1995) - Robert Longo

2. Alita: Battle Angel (1990-1995) - Yukito Kishiroa

3. Akira (1988) - Katsuhiro Otomo

4. Ghost in the Shell (1995) - Masamune Shirow