Artist's Statement

 :   For my final project, which I have titled "The Maze", my goal was to create a 3-D environment in which the participant cannot just figuratively, but literally become lost. In such an environment, the user would have no choice but to become immersed in the experience. The main goal is that once the participant enters the labyrinth they will quickly discover that there is no turning around, but rather they will be forced to explore. Beyond the obvious explorative nature of a maze, I wanted this environment to symbolize something. To me, the labyrinth is a symbol of a life path. The decisions we make lead us one direction and take us away from another. We can never turn around and go back, not truly, for decisions will lead us in totally new directions. It was for this reason that I incorporated the "orbs" into the piece. I have always had a fascination, as I suppose all have, with the afterlife. To many believers in such things orbs represent life energy or spiritual energy left behind by people after death. The orbs become remnants of what may be thought of as other people life decisions. We may come across them in our path, or paths may overlap. This is the thought behind their placement in the piece. As the participant moves through the maze, they will come upon these curious remnants, left by those before them.

 :   When choosing an aesthetic for the piece, I went with a very industrial feel. I want the maze to feel manufactured, or man-made. It is less like a corn-maze or hedge maze and more like an experiment with mice. This will make the participant perhaps feel as though they are being led through this experience, or made to go through it by some larger force. They will know how it feels to be the mouse in the experiment. Unlike most mazes, there is not one right way out of this one. It was not even designed to be figured out. In fact, almost every passage will lead into another passage. It is built to disorient the participant, to confuse and perhaps even frustrate them.

 :   Construction of the main maze stared with a plane, which I then laid out the labyrinth upon. Once satisfied with the paths, I extruded the plane upwards to create passageways. I then added a floor and ceiling to create a confined feel. To construct the orbs, I began with a sphere and removed portions as I saw fit. I create multiple versions to create a sense of individuality between the orbs. Once I had the sphere unique, I extruded it inward to give it more dimension. I then either smoothed or softened the edges to five them a more fluid, organic feel. When I textured the orbs, I wanted them each to be very unique. I used stock images of light waves mixed with various organic materials. This reflects the idea of an orb representing the energy left behind by a life form.

 :   In the end, I hope different people have different reactions to the piece. Maybe it makes some uncomfortable and confined. Perhaps other will; find it enjoyable, like a game of some kind. Every person has a different life path, and everyone will take a different path through the maze. No two experiences are alike.