I interpreted the word ‘threshold’ as an invisible line that humans cross, causing a change. Whether it be the bottom of a doorway or a certain level that needs to be exceeded for a change to occur, the subject that crosses the threshold changes physically and mentally. The surrounding environment also changes once a threshold is passed.

I thought that a threshold can be either absolute or relative in its nature. This means that in an absolute threshold, we must cross it and change. In a relative threshold, we cross the line to show something that we believe has changed in us, but others do not view it as a change.

Based on this thought I applied the absolute threshold to the aging of a man. I combined this idea with William Shakespeare’s poem ‘The Seven Stages of Man’, an excerpt from the play As You Like It. I created a painting that resembles a book cover with text and drawing to shape it like a book from the Victorian age. I added hints of an absolute threshold by inserting the Sun, Moon and the rings of Saturn. In the medieval era scientists and philosophers believed most physical phenomena were due to either the way of nature or divine intervention, and I tried to depict that in the most straightforward way.
I interpreted the relative threshold by connecting it with our emotion. Many people who are depressed try to act normal, but society nearly forces them to act normal. I wanted to depict this by placing a rag with mixed colors -symbolizing mixed emotions-being forcefully squeezed by dull-colored machines. The water droplets that fall from what was once a colorful, dirty rag are clear and fresh, which are the emotions these people are forced to show to the public.
I have various ideas to present the word ‘threshold’ in different directions.

First, I believe my interest in anthropology and history can be connected to this subject. When I was first organizing ideas for this assignment I thought of using the word in the context of a breakthrough or discovery, which was usually how the word is used. However, I would like to approach that term from an anthropological perspective. I would illustrate historic figures who helped humanity progress forward and cross a threshold by scientific discoveries or fighting for human rights. There have been numerous instances where an invention or breakthrough sparked the way for humans to rapidly develop in some way. An example would be the smartphone. Since its invention, technology has progressed faster than ever before in the past decade.

Another aspect of a threshold is its nature of dividing two parties. The two parties are usually significantly different from each other. I did not adapt this concept initially because I thought it was too basic of an approach. I thought that depicting two parties that are different from each other, or someone that is isolated from everyone else would be too common.

In my opinion, the division of two parties can be easily found in our present. I thought of how voting can be a way to either bring people together or divide them. One of my ideas was to set up a voting booth where the viewers could physically cast a vote on an idea. The booth will be suspended in a higher floor where viewers can actually cast ballots on a variety of issues. When they vote, the ballots would split and fall down into two environments. The two environments would represent the outcomes of the vote, and a threshold would be created.

I believe the division of two parties can cause drastic psychological changes as well. If a certain party is put in a superior position compared to the other they almost always try to take advantage in the situation. I would combine this thought with two actual experiments done I n the past I find extremely interesting, the Stanford Prison Experiment and the Milgram Experiment. These two experiments shared what I would call a ‘chain of superiority’ each divided in a threshold. In the Stanford Prison Experiment, the right of decision-making traveled from Professor Philip Zimbardo and his staff, to the student correctional officers, to the student prisoners. In the Milgram experiment the right traveled from the ‘experimenter’, the ‘teacher’ and to the ‘student’. The threshold generated from a difference in class or social preference led to create shocking results. Likewise, I would like to take a new approach by drawing a threshold that divides a group of people by class and position, which generates superiority or inferiority.

Lastly, a new direction I could take with the word ‘threshold’ would be related to my personal experience. I have been selected to volunteer at the winter Olympic and Paralympic games that will be hosted at my home country in South Korea in less than a month, and I am extremely excited to help with the press and translate for visitors and journalists. Ever since I was selected and went through the training process I always have thought this will be a memorable event in my life where I witness the world coming together. It’s a threshold that broadens my view to the global level, and a threshold that I will cross to meet new people, gain knowledge and experience something new. Other than that, this year itself is a threshold for me as I am graduating from high school and enter ‘adulthood’. I am unsure if I am ready yet, but I anticipate what lies ahead for me this year. This future I anticipate can be a direction I take with the topic ‘threshold’.