Brainstorming for the Brain Project

Since our mini-grant project for An Art Affair was so well received, we decided to carry on with an an even bigger interactive mind-control exhibit for Party on the Edge. Last time, we used an EEG set that could measure concentration level, which we basically used as one input. Now, we'll have a more sophisticated pair of headsets which can measure focus/concentration, meditation (which is characteristically composed of different waves than focusing), and blinking (myoelectric activity). We will also be using the developer's kit, so instead of just hacking into a toy, this time we'll have access to a lot of raw brain wave data...which has the potential for all sorts of interesting art!

Soon, we will have narrowed down on a concept. For now, here are some ideas we're throwing around:

- Mindcontrol fireworks. (Perhaps will use an LED display to mimic the pyrotechnics).

- Orbs with changing light intensities (focus), that levitate (meditation), and move in circles (blinking).

- Environmental vibrations based on brain wave patterns.

- Large platforms which move the participants: closer to each other, levitating, around each other.
- Old school TV with static which clears as the users focus (revealing a surprise).
An image from this site relates to the first two ideas (3D LED display): http://www.vimeo.com/1762821

Basically, we want to go for something engaging on a large scale. Here are some sketches of more ideas: