Amelia Peng

The Nelson Staircase, an exquisite replica of the Navy Stair that suffered bomb damage in WWII, stands as a symbol of resilience and the significance of peace. The waterfall-like textile traverses the impressive installation and is programmed to tune in with the collective emotional state, projecting the public's feelings through its colour fluctuations. "Inner Peace" enacts a metaphorical soul-purification, offering a unique rite of passage towards a new era of universal empathy, highlighting the wisdom of God and the generosity of Earth. The creators of the installation use the power of music and immersive multi-sensory textiles to take their audience on an emotional journey to rediscover peace within humanity, heralding "The Future of the Mind." 

The project "Music-Mind-Textile '' is a collaboration between Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music, Foster + Partners' Specialist Modelling Group, and Dreamlux. The project uses design across education and industries to drive innovative progress towards a more inclusive future. The interdisciplinary approach highlights the strength of the intersections between Art, Design, Science, and Technology.  

MUSIC THEME : Inner Peace, Essenes of Water : Kindness, Heal Inspire Love, The Dawn Light

Project Advisers  Anne Toomey (Project Curation), Dr. Nick de Leon, Dr. Elif Ozden Yenigun, Dr. Marie O'Mahony, Stephen Johns, Dr. Jonathan Cole,Rosie Green, Joe Hirst , Pietro Bardini, Dimitris Menexopoulos, Eleni Giannoulis, Dr. Hermionie Giannouli, Dr. Jamie A Ward, Dr. Marianna Kapsetaki  Industry Collaborators  Foster + Partners Specialist Modelling Group : Irene Gallou, Josef Musil, Saina Akhond, Yu Hu, Nicola Agresta, Andy Acred, Aran Sena, Xiaoming Yang, Antonella Bevilacqua; Dreamlux: Tommaso Galbersanini, Veronica Chiappucci, Samsara S.r.l. Luca Farhanghi, Lodetex SpA  Project Collaborators  Obe Vermeulen, Isin Eray Eray, Jacques Allen, Dimitris Menexopoulos, Huan Zhang, Monique Pong, Alisha Raman, Eloise Stringer, Dr. Gelly Gryntaki,  Évelin Maier, Abodid Sahoo, Amalia Pop, Hristina Tasheva, Marina Fraser, Gurnihal Singh, Coraline Miloudi

The human experience is intricately intertwined with our perception of the world and our place within it, deeply rooted in our living bodies. Through the harmonious integration of art and music, our project endeavors to ignite a profound sense of self-discovery and empowerment, urging individuals to embrace their authentic identities and aspirations. Esteemed Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg, renowned for his groundbreaking work in Physics and recipient of the 1979 Nobel Prize, humbly acknowledges the perplexing nature of consciousness in his thought-provoking book, "Dreams of a Final Theory." Despite the immense power wielded by physical theories, the origins of consciousness remain elusive, seemingly transcending the confines of known physical laws. Echoing this sentiment, esteemed physicist Eugene Wigner, a key figure in quantum mechanics' theory of symmetries, eloquently remarks on the profound significance that emerges from the study of the external world—a conclusion that positions the content of consciousness as an ultimate reality deserving of awe and reverence.

Our consciousness is why exist. It unifies the thinking and extended worlds into a coherent experience and animates the music that creates our emotions and purposes, unifying our cognitive faculties and extending our perceptual realms into a cohesive and meaningful experience. It breathes life into the music that resonates within us, invoking a diverse range of emotions and imbuing our lives with purpose—be it in moments of joy or sorrow, in times of conflict or love. Amidst the inevitable presence of pain and struggle, we stand as conscious observers, as the universe becomes aware of itself through our collective consciousness. In this extraordinary realization lies the impetus for self-improvement, for every advancement in our individual and collective understanding propels the universe towards greater enlightenment. The Butterfly Effect serves as an evocative reminder that each and every one of us possesses the power to shape the world around us, whether through conscious intention or inadvertent influence. While the passage of time may lead to the fading of our individual memories, the indelible mark we leave upon the universe permeates space and time, persisting until the very end of existence itself.

Amidst the mysteries that enshroud our existence, the true purpose for our being eludes definitive explanation. We find ourselves humbled by the realisation that even the nature of our reality, including the possibility of inhabiting a simulated realm, defies conclusive proof or disproof. Yet, it is within this vast expanse of uncertainty, seeking to explore the interplay of consciousness in all its intricacies. By embarking on this captivating journey, through the immersive realms of art, music, and introspection, we aim to inspire personal growth, deep connections, and cultivate an unwavering appreciation for the enigmatic beauty that permeates every facet of life's tapestry.

Music, which Oscar Wilde once described as "the art which is most nigh to tears and memories," has the power to stimulate emotions and experiences, reverting us to our genuine human state. 

Music, possesses the remarkable ability to evoke intense emotions and exert a significant influence on the intricate landscape of human moods. Over the past decade, scientific exploration into the neural correlates of music-evoked emotions has greatly contributed to our understanding of human emotion and its complex workings. Through functional neuroimaging studies, it has been revealed that music can modulate activity in specific brain structures known to play crucial roles in emotional processing, including the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, hippocampus, insula, cingulate cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex. This remarkable potential of music to shape the activity within these structures holds significant implications for the therapeutic use of music in the treatment of various psychiatric and neurological disorders. Additionally, music has a profound impact on the processing of visual information, regardless of whether the visual stimuli are real or imagined. The intricate connections between auditory and visual cortices, which are tied to specific emotions, contribute to an affective-attentional network involved in visual alertness, imagery, and the involuntary shift of attention. This suggests that music can influence and enhance the perception of visual stimuli, creating a multi-sensory experience that magnifies the emotional impact of stage design.

In the realm of textile stage design, the integration of music and visual elements becomes a harmonious collaboration, where the emotional qualities of the music guide the selection of fabrics, colors, and patterns. This integration seeks to create a unified sensory experience where music and textiles synergistically enhance one another, immersing the audience in a captivating and emotionally stirring performance. Ultimately, the intertwining of music, mind, and textile stage design presents an extraordinary opportunity for the creation of immersive and transformative artistic experiences, utilizing music's ability to evoke emotions and its dynamic interaction with visual processing to engage audiences on a deep and meaningful level.

Neuroaesthetics is a field of study that seeks to understand the neural mechanisms underlying aesthetic experiences, such as those involved in viewing art or listening to music. It seeks to understand how the brain processes and responds to aesthetic stimuli and how this can lead to the subjective experience of beauty. It combines knowledge from neuroscience, psychology, and aesthetics to investigate the relationship between the brain and aesthetic experiences. Neuroaesthetics research has provided insights into how the brain processes visual and auditory stimuli and how it responds to aesthetic experiences.

The concept of neuroaesthetics was first introduced by Semir Zeki in the late 1990s. Since then, it has gained popularity among neuroscientists, psychologists, and philosophers interested in the relationship between the brain and aesthetics. Some of the prominent researchers in the field of neuroaesthetics include Vittorio Gallese, Anjan Chatterjee, Alfonso Caramazza, and Margaret Livingstone. Their work has explored various aspects of aesthetic experiences, such as the role of emotions, cognitive processes, and neural networks in shaping our perception of art and beauty.

Neuroaesthetics has also led to important insights into the relationship between aesthetics and mental health. Research has been shown that exposure to art can activate the reward centers in the brain and promote feelings of pleasure and positive emotions. Studies have also demonstrated the potential of art to promote cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and perception. Engaging with art and music can have positive effects on mood, cognition, and well-being

Visual Effect: Predictable and accept Unpredictable outcome, the figure the beauty between crafting and design.

150 x 110 cm, ⅙ sateen jacquard sample for pre-production

150x 130, repeat pattern in 14 colours

90 x 120, texture design

Pattern Design, Pre-plan for layout in three repeats on loom. width: 50”

Construction: From Ideally to practical fit for machinery

Construction 4 layers digital jacquard: @ RCA 96x80/ 80Dx 80D, Mono-yarn, Nylon

Density: the balance between 44 - 144 , warp x weft : 48 x 196 ( by 2 layer )

Structure: Ground ⅓ warp Rib , Layer up second layer : ⅕ Sateen, 2/4 , 3/3, 4/2, 5/1.

Quality: Compromised to divided by countable ends to create the best visual effect, and fabric quality and ratio.

Integrating the technical skill, knowledge, and learning across-discipline 

The EEG (electroencephalogram) Brainwave mind interative sound audiovisual system “ Seeing Music in Colour”

For independent study, Amelia co-developed with Foster + Partners, and Dreamlux, appropriate technical knowledge specialist skills and techniques to test the boundaries, study delves into the art installations, examining how they can effectively communicate a core concept and promote deeper understanding. Through the analysis of existing installations and the creation, explore the various elements that contribute to their success. Ultimately, the research will offer insights into the role of art installations in promoting learning and understanding, with implications for artists and educators looking to use this powerful medium to engage with their audiences. Reflecting how to bridge the gap between each discipline, and use these techniques skill into practical work.