Project Update March: Interactive Fluorescein Installation --> Seek

NEW DESIGN!

This month, I received the shipments for many of the electromechanical and optical components of the piece. I was particularly thrilled that the

waterproof strand of 250 UV lights were segment-able, allowing for a much easier install. Among the great news is that each of the component lights operates at 6-12V which makes a fully Arduino-controlled installation feasible. :)

So, current status.

Lights have been constructed

. (64 lights) Photo to be posted soon.

Decided to use a Max/MSP to Arduino firmware for easy interfacing and control of lights for prototyping.

Tested infrared and pressure sensors. (Work great!!!)

Developed a MAX external that will allow me to program animation frames given triggers (sensors)

What remains:

Construct light array. Decide on animations. Program sequences to triggers.

MAX PATCH

Prototyping the Diver

Week 6 of the quarter came fast. I have prototyped a unit of the piece and gotten it to work more or less the way I want it to- lots of room for playing with little details but most of the heavy design work is done. These photos show the rough prototype- lots of duct tape etc but it served its purpose of giving me an idea of what the forces involved in this piece will be and what it will look like.


There will be 10 of these sections in total, connected end on end and suspended from a large, 10' tall by 20' long triangular frame, and the collective mechanism will be driven by a small motor. I am currently in all-out production mode, having fabricated most of the components to make the birds and soon to move on to making the individual crank shafts and gears for each bird section. Lots to be done but I think I can get it done in time for the spring show. Definitely love losing track of time and self in the shop designing and fabricating this sculpture.

Dead Towns: Looking at different display options

I’ve got the first draft of my story written. I’m going to get it proof-read this week to make sure everything is clear and not too disjointed (seeing how the story appears in 100-word snippets rather than a continuous chunk). I’m quite excited, because I think the story explores several themes where ghost towns can function as a metaphor or at least as a suitable setting: namely as desolate, isolated, nowhere towns.

I’m having a bit of trouble conceptualising how I’m going to showcase my project, though. I could have it as a display, but that might make the work sterile (if easier to read). I could also go with the original idea and have it be set up in a section of the living room, and the story presented in a journal or some kind of scrapbook, a storytelling method that feels more “lived in” – but only one person can read the scrapbook at a time (ie. Could be impractical).

Here are some ideas that I have:




The main question I have is: if it’s so deliberately on display, does it detract from the whole “lived in” experience that I want the living room to be, and does that even matter?