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Tunnel Vision
intersections of light, color, material, and space
Intersections between light, colour, material, and space capture, delight, and invite viewer engagement within the experience of the ordinary pedestrian journey.

Nancy Maruca’s ongoing research into Light and Colour and its implications to design of interior environment exposes students to learning challenges that are complements of both research and project work. Students in the interior environment option with Professor Maruca travelled the networks of tunnels on the UM Campus in search of spatial fragments in which to create light and colour ‘place gestures’. The premise was formulated in response to a proposal by CPAM [Collaboration to Promote Art and Music] at the University of Manitoba, intended to enrich the experience of the campus community through the initiation of spatial installations and musical performances. Within these initiatives, “Tunnel Vision - intersections of light, colour, material, and space” was framed. The starting point for the inquiry process was predicated on both the individual natures of light, colour, material, and the context of space, and beyond this the synergy produced through their interaction. Further inquiries were motivated by several questions: In what ways can light and colour theory and material be both the basis for, and the medium of production for spatial design intervention? How can designed works in light, colour, material and the context of space capture, delight, and invite viewer engagement capable of enriching the campus pedestrian experience? In what ways can these ‘place gestures’ impart a knowledge about light and colour to those of other academic disciplines? Students reviewed literature by theorists, and as well works by contemporary colorists and lighting designers, representing both intuitive and conceptual approaches. Individual theory-based studies focused on topics, including colour meaning and symbolism, colour systems, synesthesia, a wide range of perceptual theories and effects, and luminosity. Synthesis resulted in works exposing the consummate relationship between the individual domains of light, colour, material, and space, and ultimately demonstrating how their interaction mediates the transformation of mere physical apparatus, to become perceptible as one experience with intentions ranging from abstraction to the programmatic.

“Tunnel Vision” was exhibited on April 8, 2010, in the Russell Building, Centre Space.