OASIS 🐛

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Blender, Photoshop, 3D modeling, Research Strategy(2021)

Sites installation to critize the contamination of nature by creating natural environment in Subway.

INTRO

"Oasis" refers to a fertile spot in a desert, but it is also generally used to describe miraculous situations. My site installation, "Oasis," is located in Union Square subway station and provides a comfortable and refreshing space in contrast to the stale and smelly air inside the station. It is made up of a polymer shape of trees, a lake, rocks, and plants that represent scenes from nature. Through this installation, I wanted to convey three main themes: comfort in a desolate space, criticism of contamination of nature, and the evocation of deeper, more relatable environmental problems.

IDEA PROCESS

"Why is the New York subway so dirty and smelly? What existed before all of these subway stations were built in New York? What did people do to build this city?" Through my research, I discovered that many areas filled with trees and natural resources were destroyed to build New York City, including Union Square. Not only in New York City, but humans have been exploiting nature for our own benefit. However, even though we take their land, we do not always respect our surroundings, such as the subway stations. Especially in New York, subways have always been a main issue due to their dirtiness and bad odors. Hence, I came up with the idea of creating a completely contrasting place to the subway, where people can experience the paradox of nature and human behavior.

DESIGN

First, I designed the theme and shape of nature, which resulted in non-realistic environmental styles using polymer shapes in general. I believed that non-realistic nature would convey how we have created everything as artifacts. Next, I thought about including a nature and grass scent inside the tree balls and plants to create an inclusive and refreshing environment. I made a small hole in the cover of the installation, which will help the scent spread more widely. This scent will capture people's attention as they walk by and emphasize the bad odors of the station once the scent dissipates.

HOW I BUILT IT

I created a 3D model of my site installation and combined it with a Photoshop image of the actual location where I performed (Union Square).

3D MODEL

I used Blender, a 3d model software, to design a ploymer shape of tree, lake, stones, and plants.

CREATE SPACE

Then I imported 3d models into the actual location pictures I took.