Shelby Taguchi
Lutheran High School Orange County｜Orange County, CA
TEACHER: Dawn Hamby
3-D Art and Design
A New Perspective｜126 x 96 x 96 in.
Idea: To create an installation focused on the Japanese Internment Camps using theatrical design
Material(s): Wood, theatrical lights, bench, lamppost, audio, acrylic paintings
Process(es): Created minimalistic barrack in 3 days with various lighting looks paired with audios
Student statement
Student
statement
As a 5th generation Japanese-American, I want to increase awareness of incarceration during WW2. My installations shed light on my grandparents’ story and educate viewers about the internment camps. I created three immersive installations in my school’s theater incorporating lighting, audio, and handcrafted objects into set designs.
To create “A New Perspective”, I built a structure to represent barracks, placed hand-painted artworks and a still life shelf to replicate concentration camp life. I designed five lighting looks that transitioned from a single cool light dimly lit nighttime look to warmer purples, reds, and oranges to demand attention.
Each lighting look was designed to provoke a different emotion as the viewer was allowed into the space of the barrack. With this installation, the viewer had the option to enter the space if they so choose or stand and look at it. I specifically chose Japanese composers to enhance each lighting look. The significance of the lifting of the roof was to emphasize the minimal history that has been taught in the school systems. I wanted people to understand as the paintings escaped the box that there is so much more to their stories than what meets the eye. This installation expanded my own vision of what I could do as an artist, it opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of pushing the boundaries.
Shelby Taguchi
A New Perspective｜126 x 96 x 96 in.
Idea: 2 rigging points hung by rope
Material(s): Wood, theatrical lights, bench, lamppost, audio, acrylic paintings
Process(es): Would hang in the air above the wooden frame as the paintings would be suspended with the roof
To create “A New Perspective” , I built a structure to represent barracks, placed hand-painted artworks and a still life shelf to replicate concentration camp life. I designed five lighting looks that transitioned from a single cool light dimly lit nighttime look to warmer purples, reds, and oranges to demand attention.
Detail
Detail
A New Perspective, Video Performance
Principal statement
Principal
statement
Todd Eklund
We at Orange Lutheran deeply respect and admire Shelby Taguchi’s creativity, innovative spirit, and desire to foster social awareness within our school community via her remarkable artwork. We congratulate Shelby, and we acknowledge the outstanding educators and staff that supported Shelby’s artistic vision. Just as teachers support students in their artistic process, school leaders can actively encourage and support teachers to strengthen opportunities for student voice, and student choice within Visual Media Arts programs. Student voices can be elevated through internal collaborative and curatorial communities that celebrate, advocate, and seek new opportunities for the Arts on campus. In these ways, student voices can then interact with and influence a school community, sparking critical thinking and multiple perspective-taking. Congratulations, Shelby, on your outstanding accomplishment.
Shelby Taguchi
