Mock-up and peer feedback

I created this small mock-up example of a section of a wall from my final installation. I used image sizes of typical photographs, plus A5-A4 prints, as well as some sketches I have done, placed on top of folded and creased pieces of skin-coloured materials. I tried to identify the most striking parts of each images and make sure they were visible. I also moved the material to create texture and mimic the way skin folds and bends. 

I showed this prototype to my peers for some feedback. Their initial reaction was surprise and slight confusion; they found it hard to recognise what body parts the pictures were displaying. I was glad about this as I want to involve a lot of ambiguity and anonymity in my work. They suggested I add some colour to the sketches as they currently stand out quite a lot from the general colour scheme. They also suggested I use more varied fabrics - more colours, thicknesses, and textures, and place them near the images that they relate to: for example, a harsher, leathery textured material placed near an image of a palm of a hand or the underside of a foot. This will help to incorporate the use of touch, in relation to the visuals. I was particularly pleased when my peers spoke about social expectations: one of them mentioned how the image of a creased and folded stomach from a sat-down model (top right) made her feel uncomfortable, but she didn't know why: everyone's stomach looks like that when they are sitting, and yet there is such a social stigma attached to always having a perfectly flat stomach with no rolls. My peers were fascinated by how I had captured the way the body can move and contort, to stretch and bulge and sink, and yet it moves like this everyday without anyone noticing: which is another effect I definitely want to have on my audience, making them more mindful of such movements. 

I think creating this mock-up was definitely a valuable task. I was a little apprehensive to show my peers as I understand that the topic is quite an unusual one. However, it has helped me to visualise my final outcome better, and I now know what I need to change or tweak in order to have a stronger impact. I was pleased with the responses I received and I hope to amplify them further when the design is scaled much larger, combined with the moving film.