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The assignment specified that there be “no more than 5 different shots that are "cut" together” but also that we had more leeway, so instead of just using five clips, I used five different locations we visited throughout the trip to create a combined “shot” for each location. Although I found limiting the video to just five locations challenging, I tried to use the sites with the most contrasting incorporation of water to create a landscape.
The following site was the 9-11 Memorial Park, which uses sharp lines to relay a very powerful and emotional message. The size of the fountain and the way in which the water flows from every side down into a square-shaped abyss left me with an uncomfortable feeling in my gut, while at the same time resonated the memorial's importance.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade, on the other hand, is lined by the East River and instead produces an atmosphere that is harsh, when taking into consideration the highway and the industrial nature of the area, but also energizing and busy. Park visitors are often running along the waterfront; the river is filled with ships and ferries; and the nearby highway and bridge are filled with automobiles. The water aids in creating an active atmosphere.
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens incorporated fountains and lakes into its landscape. In contrast to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, the bodies of water here produce an aura of relaxation and calmness. The fact that we viewed the gardens on a rainy day added to this feeling, in my opinion. The ripples in the lake resulting from the rain made time seem slower and created a peaceful scene.
Finally, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, not traditionally considered a landscape, used water in a way which emphasized the intentions of the space. The reflection pool in the Ancient Egypt exhibition reflected the outdoor conditions and landscapes, bringing the outside, in. Water here became something which encouraged reflection (literally and mentally), and contemplation. I found this very fitting due to the intellectual and educational nature of the museum.
In all five instances, water is combined with various other elements to compose a certain kind of feeling, emotion, or atmosphere. I never really realized the power that the inclusion of water can have in dictating a landscape, but having seen so many different parks this past week (some situated on the waterfront, and others not), this relationship has become clearer, showing me the potential of including water in various ways in my own studio projects.