Anatomy of Spring by Si Qi Ng

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Anatomy/of /Spring. ‘Anatomy of Spring’ is a visual representation of the behavioural paradox ‘Stockholm Syndrome’, observed in the famous story of Persephone (Goddess of Spring) and Hades (King of The Underworld). In quantum mechanics, the story explores the idea of counter intuition and entanglement between two entities and two realms. Different elements of spring were combined with elements from microorganisms, depicting the Goddess of Spring in the state of superposition between two realms.

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Quantum/Theory. At the scale of atoms and electrons, many of the equations of classical mechanics, which describe how things move at everyday sizes and speeds, cease to be useful. In classical mechanics, objects exist in a specific place at a specific time. However, in quantum mechanics, objects instead exist in a haze of probability.

E L E C T RO N S

P RO T O N S & N E U T RO N S NUCLEUS

D I A G R A M O F A N ATO M

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W AV E - P A R T I C L E D U A L I T Y Quantum mechanics have come to show that light, as well as all other fundamental particles behave both as a wave, and a particle depending on the circumstances. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence to support this and in recent time wave-particle duality has been extended far beyond photons and electrons. Wave- particle duality has been demonstrated in objects such as large organic molecules.

U N C E RTA I N T Y Similar to the ‘observer effect’, uncertainty in quantum mechanics arises because a property system cannot be measured without being altered. For instance, measuring the temperature of a hot water bath. When introducing a thermometer, the temperature of the bath will be very, very slightly altered because energy has to be taken from, or given to the system in order to record a temperature. The same reasoning can be used for measuring the position of an electron. If you want to know the momentum of the electron more precisely, you will have to use more energetic light which, in turn, will change the momentum of the electron.

SUPERPOSITION The phenomenon of superposition is one where particles tend to have multiple, seemingly mutually exclusive properties at the same time. For instance, position; besides, there being uncertainty in a particle’s position, a particle can occupy numerous positions at the same time.

E N TA N G L E M E N T Entanglement is a phenomenon famously called “spooky action at a distance” by Einstein because it seemingly violated one of physics’ most sacred laws: the speed of light being the maximum achievable speed in the universe. A set of entangled particles influences one another instantaneously, regardless of their separation. These particles could be on opposite ends of the universe, and this would still hold true. The conundrum is that seemingly this implies that information travels between one particle, and another at faster than the speed of light.

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In the field of quantum physics, existing assumptions about reality have been shown to break down. It is a paradox, a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which, when investigated may prove to be well founded or true. STOCKHOLM SYNDROME Stockholm syndrome, is a psychological response wherein a captive begins to identify closely with his or her captors, as well as with their agenda and demands. Psychologists who have studied the syndrome believe that the bond is initially created when a captor threatens a captive’s life, deliberates, and then chooses not to kill the captive. The captive’s relief at the removal of the death threat is transposed into feelings of gratitude toward the captor for giving him or her life. The victim’s desire to survive trumps the urge to hate the person who created the situation. The survival instinct is at the heart of the Stockholm syndrome. Victims live in enforced dependence and interpret rare or small acts of kindness in the midst of horrible conditions as good treatment. They often become hypervigilant to the needs and demands of their captors, making psychological links between the captors’ happiness and their own.

IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY In the Homeric “Hymn to Demeter,” the story is told of how Persephone was gathering flowers in the Vale of Nysa when she was kidnapped by Hades and removed to the underworld. Down in the Underworld, Persephone was distraught, but Hades was kind to her. Hades put Persephone’s throne right next to his and allowed her equal rule along side him. Soon, she began to fall in love with her captor.

I N R E L AT I O N TO Q UA N T U M M E C H A N I C S Drawing from the principles observed in Quantum Mechanics, both Quantum and Stockholm Syndrome explores the idea of counter intuition and deals with absurd propositions that are proved true. In the story of Hades and Persephone, aspects of duality and entanglement, as such, in Quantum Mechanics, were observed. The story depicted Persephone as the Goddess of Spring but also Queen of The Underworld, exhibiting two extreme characteristics in one entity. Since Persephone is bounded to Hades, there is also entanglement between the two realms (Earth and The Underworld). The events taking place on Earth become interconnected to The Underworld, affecting each other simultaneously.

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Exploring Behavioural Paradox.

THE RAPE OF PROSERPINA Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1621-1622

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Moodboard & Artist Reference.

KATIE SCOTT London based illustrator famous for her meticulous and detailed drawings whose protagonists are the most different types of plants and animals. Katie’s art is very close to reality and detailed, while remaining always and absolutely rich in personal and refined style.

Scott graduated at Brighton University in illustration and from the passion for science that Katie has had since she was a child, derives her own style that can be defined “anatomic”. The result is a unique style that makes Katie a researched artist.

WILLIAM MORRIS English designer, craftsman, poet, and early socialist, whose designs for furniture, fabrics, stained glass, wallpaper, and other decorative arts generated the Arts and Crafts movement in England and revolutionized Victorian taste.

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PIERRE SCHMIDT A German digital artist born in Ruhrgebiet, Germany who is currently living in Berlin. He is also known as Drømsjel, creates an astonishing mix of illustration, collage and photo-manipulation, resulting in a surrealist and complex imagery. With each of his works, he unfolds the world of the unseen, our hidden thoughts and emotions, revealing possible images of the self and redirecting us towards a certain state of mind.

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H I G H H O P E S , Pierre Schmidt

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B L U E M O N D A Y, Pierre Schmidt

S T R A W B E R R Y T H I E F, William Morris

N O I S E K I L L S , Katie Scott

B O T A N I C U M , Katie Scott

S C A L P E L , Katie Scott

R O S E , William Morris

BLACKTHORN TILE, William Morris

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Motifs Design.

Through the motifs, I would like to depict the duality of Persephoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character as the Goddess of Spring but also Queen of The Underworld. I also wanted to depict the entanglement between the two realms, hell and earth. Different elements of spring were combined together and rearranged to create something that exhibits both beauty and repulsion. Elements observed in microorganisms, such as flagella, pilus and buds were also incorporated into the motifs to intensify the repulsive aspect. The illustration style was inspired by reference artist Katie Scott, whose works are best known for their anatomical look. Her illustrations look very surreal and detailed, while remaining always and absolutely rich in personal and refined style.

BEETLE

EASTER EGGS

MUSHROOM

This motif combines elements from a beetle and a daffodil flower. It also has flagella budding out from its side.

Easter eggs are used at the Iranian spring holidays. This motif is a mutated easter egg with the growth of tendon-like structures.

The spring mushroom has flagella budding out from its bottom, instead of the stem. It also has an opening at the top.

07 FILLER FLOWERS Spring is a wonderful time of the year for fresh Spring Flowers. In spring, plants and trees sprout new leaves and Flowers bloom.

MOTIFS DESIGN

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SPRING BIRD

This motif is a cross section of a strawberry with ribosome filling its centre and flagella budding out from the top.

This motif is a mutated raspberry with budding stems and pilus coating its surface.

In the old wivesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tale, robin birds are the first sign of spring. Budding stems are incorporated into the tail area.

MOTIFS DESIGN

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Patterns/Swatches.

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Banner Development. In the first layout, the motifs are arranged in a more organic form, with many overlaps and interlocking elements. A border is added to the composition, to give it more negative space. The composition is inspired by the works of William Morris, who creates intricate floral patterns and tapestries. The second layout adopts a more symmetrical and inorganic arrangement, with more negative space in between the motifs. The scale of the motifs varies in this composition to create more visual hierarchy. Inspired by Katie Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illustrations, where the elements are arranged in a very neat and clinical way. The final composition combines the first two layouts, so that there is more depth and visual interest. It also adds to the concept of duality as the composition combines both order and disorder. The motifs were also arranged to look like atomic particles, connecting to one another through radiating white lines.

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ng si qi Si Qi is a student in Nanyang Technological University. She is currently pursuing a Degree in Design Arts, in the School of Arts, Design & Media. In her free time, Si Qi enjoys illustrating random objects and characteristing them. She also enjoys reading, sports, fashion and fooling around with her friends.