DAMusement Park

Participatory Ocean-Sensitive Design

 

DAMusement Park consists of several complementary media that draw on alternative ways of storytelling to reveal different aspects of a speculative world. They all adopt an optimistic and playful approach to problem-solving and tackling the negative impacts of a climate crisis that affected the two species’ different habitats.

At the heart of the project is a hybrid of a dam and amusement park made by and for otters and avocets. Situated in the salt marsh islands, it protects the avocet’s habitat from flooding and provides dry areas for them to nest. It also provides the otters a new, clean, and drier environment since their previous homes had been on the river banks of the now highly polluted tidal city. There are various rides designed for otter and avocet shapes, sizes, weights,s, and behaviors. They are fun and playful and have functional benefits to both species and the habitat; for example, slides made from avocet feathers help clean the otters’ fur, and the see-saw is connected to an underground pump that purifies the water. 

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The project includes a humorous film depicting an imagined news report hosted by Dr. Marsha Salt, Senior Environment and Entertainment reporter for Ecological Futures. The climate crisis and the alliance are explained through an interview with Otti the Otter and Avy the Avocet and a virtual tour through a 3D model of the Park. The film integrates a narrated script, theoretical research on the climate crisis, architectural design, soundscape, graphics, and stop motion. In doing so, the film allows layers of detail and complexity to be communicated linearly to a non-expert audience. 

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The final exhibit was an interactive installation that encouraged further explorations in an experiential, spatial way. The initial idea was to build a large-scale version of a ride, while another proposed an assemblage. Both pictures were combined into a cross-section of the dam that covered a hidden cabinet of curiosities representing an inner world of 15-scale modeled rides. Made from natural and waste materials, the outside evolved into a hide that invited the audience through peepholes to explore the passages and unique possibilities of otter and avocet artifacts made from non-human perspectives. A designed poster of the Park’s map elaborated on the function of each labeled ride. 

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During the POD process, as the Otter group, we chose to align ourselves with the Avocet group. I was involved in all the research and concept discussions for the project, while I was mainly responsible for the film editing, and visual effects, as well as the design and production of the installation for this project.

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We were planning to have actors film in front of a green screen and composite it with a modeled background, but we decided it would be preferable to have an animal appear; we were participating from the animal's point of view. Therefore it was necessary to dehumanize it as much as possible. I utilized photographs of animals with open and closed mouths to create basic animations that made them appear to be talking. First, we dubbed the animals ourselves, with me playing Otti, but then we decided to modify it as a news conversation, which was difficult because I had to modify all the video lengths to make them comfortable for the viewer, as the speed of reading and listening is different, and I also adjusted each dialogue box and its words. It was a difficult process, but the final outcome was well worth it for me.

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In addition to film editing, I drew illustrations for the tickets, planned and built the rides (climbing frame, swings), and got designed and produced the display. We used leaves, branches, and domestic garbage to mimic animal viewpoints. I used leaves and branches to build a climbing frame and swing, then glued them to a cabinet shell to make it stable. As the leaves wilted, we had to stack new ones.

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Through POD, I learned the value of teamwork. Coordinating team members' time and work was wise, and I was lucky to work with such responsible people. Humans create more pollution and damage to our oceans and shorelines than imagined. Therefore rising water levels and pollution in 2027 may not be a project hypothesis. This creative project allowed me to perceive things from an animal's perspective and solve it. We may not be able to dehumanize ourselves fully, but the attempt is worthwhile and affirming.