Presence of the absent : a study on a representation of a place

Abstract

This study aims to distinguish between the incongruent but converging notions of space, place, presence and absence. This dissertation examines human connection to place and the presence of absence, by virtue of presenting cognitive, behavioural and emotional influences in the context of discussion about space and through the use of a mixed media installation. The objective is to create an environment in which digital media engages the visitor emotionally, thereby presenting them with the concept of presence despite an obvious absence and by filling a vacuum where space has been robbed of human presence. This entailed an art installation challenging the assumption that a place, resonating with banal items, may still retain presence, in spite of an obvious absence. The installation seeks to evoke the visitors’ own sense of place through abstract influences of artistic representation. Research methodology includes semi structured interviews with three artists who have a conscious understanding of the expressive arts and have been exposed to the abstract concepts that my dissertation explores. Moreover, the evidence supported the range of subjective interpretations, which is virtually limitless and congruent with the notion that art is an entirely human representation of the individual self.