Resume
Bobby Zhao
Visual Artist
Dreaming with Eyes Open
TITLE
Piper Auditorium, Harvard University
LOCATION
Projection Installation
CATEGORY
Core Concept
Embark on a unique visual journey into the reality of unconsciousness
An immersive exploration of the unseen, the hidden dance of emotions and thoughts
Purpose and Process
The installation demystifies the complex process of dreaming, bringing the invisible transition between the conscious and unconscious to life.
Through simulating the 4 stages of dreaming, the experience examines the bridge between the 2 realities. The absence of direct interaction highlights the lack of control in the dream realm, underscoring the autonomy of the subconscious.
Guiding Principles
Absense of Control
Transformation
Elusiveness of Reality
Design Sequence
Sequence 1
Dreaming Stage Equivalence:
Light Sleep right after one drifts off
Visual Representation:
Shifting thoughts, realistic imageries from real life events
Auditory Design:
My personal narration of fleeting inner thoughts, correlating with the real life events selected for visual representation
Slow fade transition
Sequence 2
Dreaming Stage Equivalence:
Light Sleep, body relaxes
Visual Representation:
Tranquil state of unconsciousness, represented by slow moving particles/form
Auditory Design:
Inner dialogue fading out, relaxing ambient music indicates the transition
Sequence 3
Dreaming Stage Equivalence:
Deep Sleep, Body Relaxation
Visual Representation:
Even slower moving particles, dispersed into nothingness
Auditory Design:
Ambient music fading into complete silence
Sequence 4
Dreaming Stage Equivalence:
REM Sleep, Vivid Dreaming
Visual Representation:
Surreal dreaming sequence, shifting in settings
Exhibition
The exhibition features me sleeping at the center of the performance stage, where the previously designed dream sequences are projected onto the monumental wall at Piper Auditorium, simulating the broadcasting of my journey to the dreamscape.