This space provided some challenges, both logistical and conceptual. The layout of the space was rather ambiguous. The floor, walls, and ceiling melded together and were indistinguishable from one another, making navigation within and throughout the space quite difficult. Furthermore, little explanation of the space, its creator, intent, and meaning, was offered to curious visitors. But perhaps this is the whole point. Purgatory is itself a place of contradictions and convoluted time and space; a netherworld of sorts. The installation certainly achieves this effect, as visitors are left to stumble around in the space, unsure of their bearings. Seating affords visitors the opportunity to sit in quiet contemplation, while considering their otherworldly surroundings. Fragments of classical temples, floating and distorted clocks, and one-dimensional trees fill the space, creating a eerie, mystical feel.
I definitely agree with Sarah that the space was sort of other worldy. The space was definitely more unrealistic in terms of what would be possible to create in the real world. I will admit that the space really confused me both times I tried to navigate through it. The surroundings made the navigation a challenge and wasn't sure if what I was looking at most of the time was part of Purgatoria. But I suppose that was the point; hence the name. I didn't find the space to be interactive, rather something to experience and it was quite neat to try and walk through and stumble across seemingly random objects. -Julia
This was my least favorite of the pieces in this area. I found it to be confusing and difficult to navigate. The overall piece was very surreal, and conceptually was a good idea - however, the use of interlocking planes made it very difficult to navigate through. I repeatedly got stuck between two planes, that made it very difficult to appreaciate the piece.
I did like the dream-like qualities of it, and found the oversized clock floating in the middle of the main area. The elevator, however, was irksome and made it annoying to keep the sound on, as each time someone tried to use it, it announced to the entire area that they needed to wait.
Overall, I found it to be interesting and visually amusing - however, I would have liked it more if it had not been so easy to fall through the floor so many times when I tried to explore.
Purgatoria certainly felt hellish while I was in it. It is a web of frustrating thin lines that connote tension and strain, perhaps like a string pulled tight. The space is vast and yet to access some areas one must walk and in others one must fly. I attempted to use the elevator but found that just as in RL it was unreliable. There were also chairs that beckoned to me to sit in them but when I tried to sit in what was clearly an empty chair, I was barred access. There are plenty of chairs in Purgatoria but they are occupied - is this a clever joke by the creators?
I am not sure what one does in Purgatoria. One can attempt to ride the elevator or sit in a chair, but why would one get on SL to sit in a chair? There were some buildings fashioned on ancient Greek standards, but all I could do was stand in them and enjoy the novelty of their rainbow-colors. I did spent a good deal of time in Purgatoria, not because I enjoyed it, but because I was certain that in this colorful, dynamic space there must be something redeeming. Apparently, the joy of Purgatoria is superficial.
Purgatoria, seemed to me to be almost like a kind of abandoned but not in shambles. It was very calming and unique and i really liked the ambiguity of the space, not knowing quite where to go or what to do. This perfectly preserved ancient city gathered in a large floating environment apposed to just artifacts. I enjoyed greatly the small interactions of the piece like the elevator and the chairs, it made it mysterious. Unlike other opinions of this space I found purgatoria jovial, interesting and a bit relaxing
This space provided some challenges, both logistical and conceptual. The layout of the space was rather ambiguous. The floor, walls, and ceiling melded together and were indistinguishable from one another, making navigation within and throughout the space quite difficult. Furthermore, little explanation of the space, its creator, intent, and meaning, was offered to curious visitors. But perhaps this is the whole point. Purgatory is itself a place of contradictions and convoluted time and space; a netherworld of sorts. The installation certainly achieves this effect, as visitors are left to stumble around in the space, unsure of their bearings. Seating affords visitors the opportunity to sit in quiet contemplation, while considering their otherworldly surroundings. Fragments of classical temples, floating and distorted clocks, and one-dimensional trees fill the space, creating a eerie, mystical feel.
ReplyDeleteSarah Ryan
I definitely agree with Sarah that the space was sort of other worldy. The space was definitely more unrealistic in terms of what would be possible to create in the real world. I will admit that the space really confused me both times I tried to navigate through it. The surroundings made the navigation a challenge and wasn't sure if what I was looking at most of the time was part of Purgatoria. But I suppose that was the point; hence the name. I didn't find the space to be interactive, rather something to experience and it was quite neat to try and walk through and stumble across seemingly random objects.
ReplyDelete-Julia
This was my least favorite of the pieces in this area. I found it to be confusing and difficult to navigate. The overall piece was very surreal, and conceptually was a good idea - however, the use of interlocking planes made it very difficult to navigate through. I repeatedly got stuck between two planes, that made it very difficult to appreaciate the piece.
ReplyDeleteI did like the dream-like qualities of it, and found the oversized clock floating in the middle of the main area. The elevator, however, was irksome and made it annoying to keep the sound on, as each time someone tried to use it, it announced to the entire area that they needed to wait.
Overall, I found it to be interesting and visually amusing - however, I would have liked it more if it had not been so easy to fall through the floor so many times when I tried to explore.
Purgatoria certainly felt hellish while I was in it. It is a web of frustrating thin lines that connote tension and strain, perhaps like a string pulled tight. The space is vast and yet to access some areas one must walk and in others one must fly. I attempted to use the elevator but found that just as in RL it was unreliable. There were also chairs that beckoned to me to sit in them but when I tried to sit in what was clearly an empty chair, I was barred access. There are plenty of chairs in Purgatoria but they are occupied - is this a clever joke by the creators?
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what one does in Purgatoria. One can attempt to ride the elevator or sit in a chair, but why would one get on SL to sit in a chair? There were some buildings fashioned on ancient Greek standards, but all I could do was stand in them and enjoy the novelty of their rainbow-colors. I did spent a good deal of time in Purgatoria, not because I enjoyed it, but because I was certain that in this colorful, dynamic space there must be something redeeming. Apparently, the joy of Purgatoria is superficial.
Purgatoria, seemed to me to be almost like a kind of abandoned but not in shambles. It was very calming and unique and i really liked the ambiguity of the space, not knowing quite where to go or what to do. This perfectly preserved ancient city gathered in a large floating environment apposed to just artifacts. I enjoyed greatly the small interactions of the piece like the elevator and the chairs, it made it mysterious. Unlike other opinions of this space I found purgatoria jovial, interesting and a bit relaxing
ReplyDeletesorry forgot to sign
ReplyDelete-Jill