Information
The project was successfully showcased during a themed event at the Science Museum in London, attracting a large audience who engaged with us and delved into the story behind the work. These works use interactive and performance art to visualize the abstract concept of 'time,' inspired by ancient knot-tying for record-keeping, with each knot symbolizing a moment in time.
Through a carefully crafted immersive performance, participants listened to curated stories about time while actively contributing by tying knots. Each knot symbolized a specific moment in time. These knots were then displayed on a large rope installation, forming a "Knots of Time" collaboratively created by the audience. The result was not only a visually striking artwork but also a collective experience that explored the intersections of time and storytelling.
Inspiration
1. Knots as Records of Time: In ancient times, people used knots to record events and time, a method that was both intuitive and rich in historical significance. Each knot symbolizes a specific moment or event.
2. Chinese Zodiac and Sundials: Drawing from Chinese traditional culture, the twelve zodiac animals symbolize different periods of time, combined with sundials to represent various time intervals.
After team discussions, we decided to focus on the knot-tying concept as the core of the project. This approach is more straightforward and accessible, making it easier for the audience to understand and participate. Additionally, the team aimed to present the concept through performance art, inviting the audience to become part of the work and further enhancing interaction and engagement.
Process
In the experiments, we explored braiding and cross-knotting techniques but found that overly complex knotting steps could confuse participants and increase the difficulty of the activity. To address this, we introduced a method combining "stories and time markers," aiming to visually represent the passage of time through knotting. However, test results revealed that participants often felt overwhelmed by the complexity and physical demands of the process, necessitating further simplification of the workflow to enhance accessibility and engagement.
To enhance the fluidity of the performance, we invited professional dancer Ella to join, simplifying the volunteers' roles to holding the ropes, thereby reducing the complexity of their involvement. Finola used flattened models to map out the knotting steps, and our team redesigned the connection between the knots and their respective stories. By curating narratives directly tied to the knots, we elevated the audience's engagement and added an element of intrigue to the experience.