Swimming Hole: Initial Research & Ideas

Initial Research

The origin of this project is a painting by 'Thomas Eakins', called 'the Swimming Hole' (Lubbock, 2008). Lubbock (2008) points out that the same figure may be redesigned many times to achieve the final pose and position in the creative process of a painter, which means that the state of the people in the painting is not owned by them, but designed by the artist.

(the Swimming Hole, painted by Thomas Eakins,1885)

It seems that the realism of the characters brings an illusion that the young people in the painting seem to be trying to get rid of the bondage of some unreal scenes. 

Initial Idea

1.Brainstorming

The Fantastic FiveFive Extremely Creative Ideas Inspired by The Swimming Hole

My Continuation Route is architectural Design.

2. Choice of the final idea

I will use some elements and inspirations from the painting to design a hotel with some grey space and beautiful landscapes as a symbol of freedom, to explore how to make indoor and outdoor space communicate and permeate. 

Why?

The scene in the painting can be reinterpreted, which six young people in an outdoor, pleasant vacation environment seem to move freely, or in a seemingly free scene is restricted. 

The seemingly free model in a free field scene made me think of hotels. The hotel is usually seen as a place of leisure and vacation, where people inside the hotel through the creation of the space to experience everything around. 

From this point of view, the painter and the architect are similar, because the architect guides the people in the building through the design and control of the building. 

References:

Lubbock T. (2008) The independent Great Art Series: The Swimming Hole by Thomas Eakins. [Online] Available from: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/great-works/eakins-thomas-the-swimming-hole-1885-776575.html [Accessed 04/08/20].