Filed under: VISUAL LANGUAGE RESEARCH
Description
A LED light connected to a 3 volt battery placed inside a balloon, which was then filled with helium. A long piece of fishing line tied to the balloon stops it from floating away. The end piece is tied to a object on the ground and the end result looks like a floating lit balloon in the night sky near a train station.
Aim:
To find out how effective LED’s and lights are when used with visual objects wanting to capture attention. Finding out how people react with different types of medium they usually don’t see within the public space by observing their body language. This experiment was also a chance to promote the idea of creative thinking and whether this visual piece gained interest from the public
Results:
When the LED balloons became increasingly visible as it got darker more people started noticing them. There were a lot of fascinated people looking at the balloons while waiting at the train station. The fact that most of the people were standing and waiting on the platform was definitely a factor to consider as they had spare time to stop and have a look around but the balloons certainly gained a lot of attention floating and blowing in the wind above a building in clear view of the night sky. It even bought a slight smile to some faces.
Conclusion
This experiment emphasis a theory researched earlier about the ‘unusual’ element of attention getting. The LED balloons were unfamiliar and different, therefore gaining some attention. Different types of visual medium within the public can definitely effect peoples emotions as the LED floating balloon put a smile on some faces. It was actually satisfying to see people react to the balloons in a positive way because of the smiles it brings. This makes me wonder if more art and advertising within public space got a positive reaction would it be a happier society.
