The archives of TSG
Tin Sheds Gallery
November 2023
Tin Sheds Gallery, located within the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney, is a contemporary art exhibition space with a rich history and cultural significance. Based on research, we have curated the Tic-Tac-Toe workshop project with a focus on biodiversity, aiming to engage audiences interactively and enhance their understanding of the Tin Sheds Gallery archives.
Project brief
This project is a collaborative effort with Tin Sheds Gallery, aimed at using speculative design to help audiences engage with the gallery's archives and ensure its future sustainability. By using design futures as a research methodology, we integrate archives of existing designs and artworks for cataloging, data analysis, double variable method, and STEEPLE analysis.
These design measures free TSG's exhibitions and archive access from physical space limitations. They not only involve students in current collections and exhibitions but also enable remote and online audiences to access these collections and exhibitions.
What is the TSG?
The Tin Sheds Gallery was established in 1969 as an autonomous art space on the campus of the University of Sydney. At one time it was part of the Sydney Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, and after it was incorporated into the school in 1989, it began to offer courses in art workshops. In 2004 it moved its operations to the campus, with purpose-built studios and galleries.
The Tin Sheds Gallery is a historic art exhibition space. It is used for various art exhibitions, lectures and cultural events. It is a space not only for event groups, but also for ordinary students interested in the arts.
Target audiences
The evolution of Tin Sheds Gallery's audience from university students, staff, and local communities to those from multicultural backgrounds and various professions has been influenced by diverse exhibition content, strategic geographic relocations, and active involvement in educational programs and collaborations.
At present
Future
University students, staffs, and local communities
Multicultural background and professions
Timescape
Using timescale aids in understanding the driving forces and focal areas.The development of art exhibitions is associated with information on political, economic, cultural, and other social backgrounds in different contexts and ages. The art exhibitions from 1992–2023 could be categorised into six periods, including four important elements: time, political-cultural features, trends in TSG exhibitions, and types of archives. It is worth noting that the demise, transformation, and renewal of culture do not happen overnight, even though culture in the current space and time always exists in a hybrid way.
Our grasp of trends and typological analysis aims to clarify why certain types of exhibitions were relatively concentrated in this period and what kind of relationship between human beings, society, and nature was being contemplated in the art of this period.
Double Variable analysis
The double variable method enables us to analyse two interconnected variables simultaneously: local drivers and global drivers. This approach provides a more holistic understanding of the situation and its potential impacts, facilitating more informed decision-making and strategy development.
In a backdrop of unstable political conditions and dwindling resources, Tin Sheds Gallery contends with the dual challenges of navigating political turbulence while grappling with diminished financial support.
Why choose this topic?
We chose biodiversity as our theme. Biodiversity aligns with the demands of our chosen future scenario: it emphasises sustainable resource management, addresses public concerns under environmental stress, and adapts to changing government policies. This theme enables Tin Sheds to attract a diverse audience and tackle significant global challenges, ensuring the gallery's projects remain relevant and impactful amid financial and political uncertainties.
Tic-Tac-Toe Workshop
TSG Interior Space Sisplay
The Front Door
Thematic Discussions
Past archive posters
Ideation
Based on our dedication to biodiversity archives, we plan to host an annual touring exhibition at Tin Sheds Gallery (TSG). This exhibition will feature a unique Tic-Tac-Toe workshop, offering participants the opportunity to engage with historical biodiversity archives through meticulously crafted cards. Additionally, the TSG space will showcase past archive posters and thematic decor centred around biodiversity, enhancing the exhibition with relevant content.
“Embracing Tin Sheds Gallery's Past, Present, and Future”
“Inviting Interaction: Shaping the Experience through Concept”
Our biodiversity-themed Tic-Tac-Toe interactive installation draws direct inspiration from TSG's archival practices. Here are several aspects of TSG's archive development:
Sustained Engagement: By hosting regular interactive exhibitions on biodiversity themes, participants not only engage with the gallery's current activities but also contribute to its future development.
Enduring Legacy: Such thematic exhibitions serve as a bridge between the past and present. By drawing from past exhibitions and archives, we maintain a coherent narrative, highlighting the gallery's commitment to environmental issues and community engagement.
Self-Reflection: Through the experience of the Tic-Tac-Toe game, participants are encouraged to reflect on their environmental footprint. This reflective approach aims to inform and inspire proactive behaviour, contributing to the gallery's future sustainability and conservation narrative.
Tic-Tac-Toe workshop
The Tic-Tac-Toe interactive zone will use question cards and a large screen Tic-Tac-Toe board for engagement.
Participants will select a question card related to biodiversity or environmental action, reflecting on their experiences to determine if they have engaged in harmful behaviours.
If so, they will use a pen on the table to colour the corresponding area on the card, which will also colour their hands red.
After covering the card, participants will place it under the scanner on the console, allowing them to make marks on the game board. The type of question determines their mark - X representing biodiversity and O representing the environment.
Consequences on the game board: Aligning three marks triggers animal sounds, symbolising species extinction.
The website
The website liberates TSG's events and archive retrieval from temporal and spatial constraints, serving as a dynamic hub. It provides comprehensive workshop-related information, enabling users to explore upcoming events, register, and engage in pre-event activities interactively. Additionally, users can utilise targeted search and access timescape to view desired archives.
Reflection
In the process of archiving and reimagining the Tin Sheds Gallery archives, there are still many shortcomings. For example, in terms of physical layout, we could design the scene more reasonably and theme-appropriate, and even reserve an area to showcase the timescape.
In the project, I was primarily responsible for focusing on areas of interest and trend analysis in the early stages. In the later stages of the project, I was involved in the entire process of creating the Tic-Tac-Toe workshop, from conceptualisation to producing complete prototype diagrams and the MG demonstration animation.
The archives of TSG
Tin Sheds Gallery
November 2023
Tin Sheds Gallery, located within the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney, is a contemporary art exhibition space with a rich history and cultural significance. Based on research, we have curated the Tic-Tac-Toe workshop project with a focus on biodiversity, aiming to engage audiences interactively and enhance their understanding of the Tin Sheds Gallery archives.
Project brief
This project is a collaborative effort with Tin Sheds Gallery, aimed at using speculative design to help audiences engage with the gallery's archives and ensure its future sustainability. By using design futures as a research methodology, we integrate archives of existing designs and artworks for cataloging, data analysis, double variable method, and STEEPLE analysis.
These design measures free TSG's exhibitions and archive access from physical space limitations. They not only involve students in current collections and exhibitions but also enable remote and online audiences to access these collections and exhibitions.
What is the TSG?
The Tin Sheds Gallery was established in 1969 as an autonomous art space on the campus of the University of Sydney. At one time it was part of the Sydney Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, and after it was incorporated into the school in 1989, it began to offer courses in art workshops. In 2004 it moved its operations to the campus, with purpose-built studios and galleries.
The Tin Sheds Gallery is a historic art exhibition space. It is used for various art exhibitions, lectures and cultural events. It is a space not only for event groups, but also for ordinary students interested in the arts.
Target audiences
The evolution of Tin Sheds Gallery's audience from university students, staff, and local communities to those from multicultural backgrounds and various professions has been influenced by diverse exhibition content, strategic geographic relocations, and active involvement in educational programs and collaborations.
At present
University students, staffs, and local communities
Future
Multicultural background and professions
Timescape
Using timescale aids in understanding the driving forces and focal areas.The development of art exhibitions is associated with information on political, economic, cultural, and other social backgrounds in different contexts and ages. The art exhibitions from 1992–2023 could be categorised into six periods, including four important elements: time, political-cultural features, trends in TSG exhibitions, and types of archives. It is worth noting that the demise, transformation, and renewal of culture do not happen overnight, even though culture in the current space and time always exists in a hybrid way.
Our grasp of trends and typological analysis aims to clarify why certain types of exhibitions were relatively concentrated in this period and what kind of relationship between human beings, society, and nature was being contemplated in the art of this period.
Double Variable analysis
The double variable method enables us to analyse two interconnected variables simultaneously: local drivers and global drivers. This approach provides a more holistic understanding of the situation and its potential impacts, facilitating more informed decision-making and strategy development.
In a backdrop of unstable political conditions and dwindling resources, Tin Sheds Gallery contends with the dual challenges of navigating political turbulence while grappling with diminished financial support.
Why choose this topic?
We chose biodiversity as our theme. Biodiversity aligns with the demands of our chosen future scenario: it emphasises sustainable resource management, addresses public concerns under environmental stress, and adapts to changing government policies. This theme enables Tin Sheds to attract a diverse audience and tackle significant global challenges, ensuring the gallery's projects remain relevant and impactful amid financial and political uncertainties.
Ideation
Based on our dedication to biodiversity archives, we plan to host an annual touring exhibition at Tin Sheds Gallery (TSG). This exhibition will feature a unique Tic-Tac-Toe workshop, offering participants the opportunity to engage with historical biodiversity archives through meticulously crafted cards. Additionally, the TSG space will showcase past archive posters and thematic decor centred around biodiversity, enhancing the exhibition with relevant content.
“Embracing Tin Sheds Gallery's Past,
Present, and Future”
“Inviting Interaction: Shaping the
Experience through Concept”
Our biodiversity-themed Tic-Tac-Toe interactive installation draws direct inspiration from TSG's archival practices. Here are several aspects of TSG's archive development:
Sustained Engagement: By hosting regular interactive exhibitions on biodiversity themes, participants not only engage with the gallery's current activities but also contribute to its future development.
Enduring Legacy: Such thematic exhibitions serve as a bridge between the past and present. By drawing from past exhibitions and archives, we maintain a coherent narrative, highlighting the gallery's commitment to environmental issues and community engagement.
Self-Reflection: Through the experience of the Tic-Tac-Toe game, participants are encouraged to reflect on their environmental footprint. This reflective approach aims to inform and inspire proactive behaviour, contributing to the gallery's future sustainability and conservation narrative.
Tic-Tac-Toe workshop
The Tic-Tac-Toe interactive zone will use question cards and a large screen Tic-Tac-Toe board for engagement.
Participants will select a question card related to biodiversity or environmental action, reflecting on their experiences to determine if they have engaged in harmful behaviours.
If so, they will use a pen on the table to colour the corresponding area on the card, which will also colour their hands red.
After covering the card, participants will place it under the scanner on the console, allowing them to make marks on the game board. The type of question determines their mark - X representing biodiversity and O representing the environment.
Consequences on the game board: Aligning three marks triggers animal sounds, symbolising species extinction.
The website
The website liberates TSG's events and archive retrieval from temporal and spatial constraints, serving as a dynamic hub. It provides comprehensive workshop-related information, enabling users to explore upcoming events, register, and engage in pre-event activities interactively. Additionally, users can utilise targeted search and access timescape to view desired archives.
Reflection
In the process of archiving and reimagining the Tin Sheds Gallery archives, there are still many shortcomings. For example, in terms of physical layout, we could design the scene more reasonably and theme-appropriate, and even reserve an area to showcase the timescape.
In the project, I was primarily responsible for focusing on areas of interest and trend analysis in the early stages. In the later stages of the project, I was involved in the entire process of creating the Tic-Tac-Toe workshop, from conceptualisation to producing complete prototype diagrams and the MG demonstration animation.
