FINAL PROJECT: Neverland Playground in Land's End and Golden Gate Park

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Response to An Interview with Dean MacCannell

This article was very interesting for me even right from the beginning when Dean is talking about the way that the leisure class has changed since World War I but I really liked what he was saying about how people cherish their downtime.  In fact people today find their identities more in what they do as a hobby than they do from work or their families.  Reading this was very disappointing but I completely agree with it.  Its sad to think that we live in a world where that many people are stressed out by their jobs to the point where they don't even enjoy it anymore. Same goes for time spent with family, these shouldn't be seen as "chores" but in today's modern age they are which is why everyone strives for that hard to reach leisure time.

The next question disappoints me a little as well, Dean talks about how people when planning a vacation try to go for a package deal somewhere, so they can sit back and be entertained 24/7.  But I think vacationing should be about creating new adventures. Having experiences that you can't really plan out, they just happen.  So I guess I was leaning more toward the tourism side then leisure since the beginning of this project which makes sense since my Neverland had to be traveled to and discovered in Golden Gate Park and Land's End.  As Dean says just as much work goes into being a tourist as being at work; planning, organizing, physical effort and deprivation all take part.

The final part of this article that really resonated with me is when Dean was talking about how tourist attractions are becoming more aware that they're destinations are vacation getaways and taking control of that by outreaching beyond their own walls to heighten the experience of what they have to offer, this includes the architecture of their buildings and getting involved in any festivities happening around them.  Its just funny how its coming from both ends and tourists just eat it up.  Very interesting intreview that I have saved and will probably visit again in the near future, maybe even buy his book!

Bernie Lubell's Solo Show at Intersection

"Why Cant't the First Party Be Part of the Second Party and the Second Party Be Part of the First Party" is the name of the piece Bernie Lubell's showing at Intersection Gallery from April 9 to June 7.  Bernie had come in to talk to our Sculpture 3 class so on the opening night of this show Mike Arcega planned a field trip for us to see it!

When Bernie came to visit our class he told us about this piece.  He likes to use a lot of low-tech in his work, this large scale wooden and interactive installation consisted of a complex system of gears, pulleys, cranks, and wheels powered by guests.  When you first walk in you see a bench and a television screen displaying what hidden cameras are picking up around different parts of the installation. Above this there were some gears controlling the way a pencil was writing (or doodling) on a long sheet of paper being pulled passed it.  Here you can see a trail of wood on the ceiling leading to the contraptions in the next room, a treadmill powered by people walking on it and a bicycle like form that is powered by human pedaling.  So when these two parts were in operation together, the pencil began to write on the paper... that is until someone sits on the bench, halting the entire process no matter how hard the others are pedaling and walking.

This piece for Bernie was a commentary on politics, which I think is evident from the title he took from a Marxx Brothers skit. He brought up a serious topic and presented it in a playful way that hopefully made it easy for guests to understand and that is what I really enjoy about his piece.

Also, I remember how much he said he loved the ceiling of the gallery his work was in so I thought I would share this with you.  It will give you a better sense of what this piece looks like in person. He really incorporated the whole building.

Neverland Tour Photoshopped Images

Here are the final edited photos for my tour...

Jim Henson's Creature Shop

If you haven't already, and you share a interest in audio-animatronics or costumes, you should check out Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge on Syfy every Tuesday night at 9pm.

Here's a Behind the Scenes look at what the geniuses at the Creature Shop have created for some of your favorite films.

To me, its interesting to see how new technologies effect the classic art of puppetry.

WATCH IT, PEOPLE!!

Golden Gate Park and Land's End Photoshoot

So the other day I went to all the locations I plan to use for my project, here's what I saw...

Golden Gate Park
     This is where my fairies will live.  The garden next to the Dutch Windmill is so well maintained you'd think it was grown with magic, perfect spot for Pixie Hollow.

The Indian Village will be located in or near the Bison Paddock.

Near Ocean Beach in Kelly's Cove is where I see Captain Hook's Ship anchored possibly with a dock so that guests can climb aboard.

 And maybe some type of pirate themed treasure hunt can take place in this area next to Sutro Baths.

Land's End

     Here, I found a home for the Lost Boys. Lots of great spots for a hideout.

And last but not least is Mermaid Lagoon which will be at Mile Rock Beach.

This is also the area I imagine my monument Skull Rock being out in the ocean not far from where the mermaids reside.

Tourism- Neverland Island; Poster Idea

For my next project I would like to create a tourist package for the fantastic world of Neverland, home of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and Captain Hook.  Originally from the mind of author J.M. Barrie; I plan to take his beloved characters and lands and create my own Neverland Island...once I find an empty island  to work with on Google Earth, or perhaps I will create my own island on Google Sketch Up that resembles the image above.

In my presentation I want to encourage "future guests" to explore the following places:

• Mermaid Lagoon
• Skull Rock
• Indian Village
• Lost Boy's Hideout
• Pixie Hollow
• Captain Hook's Ship

Not only will this project include references from J. M. Barrie's original text, I will also let modern interpretations inspire new ideas such as: Disney's Peter Pan, Universal's Peter Pan starring Jeremy Sumpter, and the 1991 classic Hook, starring Robin Williams.

Here's a mock up I made in photoshop as an example of what I would want my poster to look like. There's still a lot of touching up I want to do (like with the mermaid's hair and water areas).  I would also like to add some sort of border.

After the last class our friend Mariah informed me on Peter Pan's character in the popular show Once Upon a Time... Putting a twist on the original plot, Pan is now a kidnapper who brings his victims to Neverland.  Here he and the lost boys are about to steal the heart of the truest believer. I thought it would be interesting to play with some ideas like this to make Neverland my own new experience.

After giving it some more thought and our great discussion in class this Thursday, I decided to create a Neverland experience unique to the San Francisco area.  I will be placing Neverland in Land's End and Golden Gate Park.  I have ideas for Pixie Hollow to be near the Dutch Windmill and the Indian Village to be in the Bison Paddock, both in Golden Gate Park.  Hook's ship will be anchored near Kelly's Cove at Ocean Beach.  Then locations at Land's End will be the Lost Boys Hide Out and Mermaid Lagoon on Mile Rock Beach.  My monument will be Skull rock with I will place near the cliff that holds the labyrinth on the same beach Mermaid Lagoon will be.

My newest poster idea with a cutout filter instead of the poster edge.