Bauhaus was founded in 1919 in Weimar (Germany), by Walter Gropius. The school moved to Dessau in 1925 and disbanded in 1933 in Berlin. With the relocation Bauhaus, Walter Gropius had the opportunity of creating his own building which would be built in the most efficient way for the teachers and students to develop their own Bauhaus designs. The Bauhaus Building designed by Walter Gropius opened its doors in 1926. The building took advantages of new industrial materials like reinforced concrete, rolled steel and plate glass in large sizes. Iron and concrete structure forms the skeleton. In order to make building look lighter with an optical illusion, walls had a base of rough plaster and grey. Inside the building rooms were colored in different colors. Both sides of the school are covered with big windows made out of steel. Gropius has used a lot of light effects and optical illusions, while designing the building in order to create an environment for the people who worked and studied in it. The total are for construction was 113,400 sq. ft. However, the building itself contains approximately 250,600 sq. ft. As Bauhaus adopted in their style “Form follows function”, the building itself also obeys to the rule and follow its function.
The Bauhaus building in Dessau is a beautiful design by the founder of the school Walter Gropius. Since Bauhaus had many rules about geometry – symmetry – typography and form/function I am willing to investigate the interior design of the building. Bauhaus was a school, which had many different art and design branches in it – a research on the classroom placement inside the building can serve some interesting information. Big windows and the possible natural lighting inside create the feeling of motivation and dedication. A research on the products that are produced through-out the time while the school was located in that building can give away lot of information about the feelings and concepts that the building itself brings.
(of a person) no longer close or affectionate to someone; alienated.
Concept Statement :However, the communication is always limited.
Why? :
The data that I was gathering for the lab class was based on the messages between me and my girlfriend. I analyzed the most used words, number of messages and peek messaging hours. When I started looking at them in an emotional way rather then analytical perspective, I realized that, love and communication are the main themes of this data.
Limited Communication? :
When we are messaging with someone, are we getting the full effect/efficiency of a communication? Nowadays messaging is lot more popular then calling, we can’t even hear the voices of the loved ones, because of the texting culture. So the communication is always limited. And will it ever be unlimited? who knows.
Love?:
From messages the most used words were “love – askim – sevgilim – baby” 2 Turkish and 2 English words. All representing relationship and love.
The Helmet:
The helmet will be made similar to 1920’s Turkish diving helmet, which used by the sea sponge harvesters. Bodrum used to be one of the famous cities for sponge harvesting in Turkey – it is also the place where my family has a summer house. It will be a representation of “Home”. At the same time the helmet having really small windows, it will be representing how badly we are jammed in the world of loss art of communication.
Technology:
Arduino
Speakers
LED Strip
Aim/Purpose:
Aim and Purpose of this project is to create an emotional environment by using a helmet. And create awareness on the limited communication – mechanized feelings and emotions. And the darkness of feeling communication being limited even while you are with the people that you call home.
For my final project, I took myself as the center of my piece. I did my research emotionally and I tried to see the difference between two cultures that I am living in. In the end, it took me to the point where I saw the American culture as dark space from my perspectively mostly basing it on the lack of support in-between friendships.
Audio Narrative;
In order to change my feeling in to words and share it with people, I decided to create an audio narrative. The narrative starts with the astronaut connecting with the mission control, and a small conversation between me and a good friend happens. The conversation is in Turkish and it is representing my voice and my home. Throughout the narrative we hear, space sounds, multiple effects and two songs by Pink Floyd.
Pink Floyd;
Why did I decide to use Pink Floyd’s music in my project? This year 2015-2016 school year has became the year, where I started getting more and more interested in classic rock , the spacey-journey alike songs of the group inspired me to develop a concept around myself.
Audio Narrative / SOUNDCLOUD
Video;
For the video of the project my main intention was to show the feeling, and I tried to explain my my feelings, the sadness and loneliness without using words. Almost a dramatic looking but at the same time the video has became an emotional translator of the concept.
OpenFrameworks;
OpenFrameworks is the last but not least important part of the piece. OpenFrameworks sketch helps audience to realize that the artificial and unrealistic aspect can be seen more and more realist under the circumstances of real-life events. In my OpenFrameworks sketch I decided to use the movement of The Sun, The Earth and The Moon, this daily event, made my journey a little bit more realist and reliable.
Softwares;
Adobe Audition CC (audio narrative)
Audacity (audio narrative)
Adobe Premiere Pro CC (video)
xCode (sketch)
Arduino IDE (arduino)
Bill of Materials;
DC Motor
Speaker
12V Battery Pack
Arduino
L298N Dual Motor Controller
WS2812 Led Strip
Water+Newspaper+Paper
An extra 5v battery pack for arduino
Grey tinted plastic sheet
Black + White Acrylic Paint
Fabric
Libraries;
1- xCode/openFrameworks
Sun, Earth, Moon sketch the tutorial can be reached through this link.
Bluetooth HC-06 (Android – Arduino Voice Command Communication)
First of all I downloaded AMR_Voice application from Google Play store, also wired my bluetooth to Arduino. With the functions I declared, the specific vocabulary had specific color schemes. Voice command can also be used in order to turn on and off the device. I chose to communicate with bluetooth as one way of communication with arduino because daydreaming is usually take place on the bed, by the technology the user would not have to get up and do any analog movement.
Gesture Sensor
Gesture Sensor reads 6 different directions, which are UP , DOWN , LEFT , RIGHT , FAR and NEAR. I used UP command as turning the device on. DOWN command to turn it off. NEAR and FAR commands stand for NeoPixel functions created by Adafruit. These two functions are only build-in in order for user to create out of box color schemes. I selected gesture sensor in order to create more mystical and future in time kind of an effect.
NeoPixels
These beautiful LED rings, shine up in different colors according to commands that they get. They can shine in many beautiful colors, and the LED ring I used has 24 separate LED’s and build by AdaFruit.
Vibrating Motors (connected to 3.5mm audio jack)
These really small hectic motors are connected to 3.5mm audio jack. So that the user can connect their vibration headphone to their computer and listen to music with vibration. The reason behind using an unexpected way of listening to music was in order to create a in between state, where reality and artificial reality clashes.
List of the 6 libraries / bodies of code that I chose to use/write:
0. <FastLED.h> (for practice of neopixels)
<Wire.h>
2. <SparkFun_APDS9960.h>
3. <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
4. int voiceCommand() ( +if/else +functions )
5. int handleGesture() ( + case/switch +functions)
Right now, it is 31st of March 2:15PM, and I am starting to right this post which will be based on my artifact based on a conceptual research that I inspired from daydreaming. Let’s start from the beginning and let me tell you about my work.
Click on the link to open the document. This PDF includes my research.
March 6. 2016
Time to start sketching and looking for an idea. I wrote down multiple sub-titles on my sketchbook such as what is expected from Studio class, or Lab class, and a small brainstorming for a amusing conceptual research.
I was doing research online, at the same time for the type of technology I was interested in and communication methods between the user and the Arduino.
Through my research I did my first Bill of Materials list to made a bed side clock which shines in different colors depending on your mood and the time of the day.
March 7. 2016
Satisfying idea ay? I was down to work on this idea and I started doing beautiful yet basic sketches in order to figure out the design- connections- what kind of arduino I need and everything basically. While I was working on the design I started thinking about sailing to the seas that I’ve never been and Googled something called “Gesture Sensor” and SparkFun had one I was amazed and I added that to my device.
March 8. 2016 – conceptual meeting with Ayo
The spring has sprung! Time to kill our babies with Ayo. Ayo liked my idea however, as he said the idea was so broad. It was a clock, daydreaming device, alarm and more…. He told me to just focus on one thing which is Daydreaming. So I went back to my sketchbook and re-designed my whole product and concept.
The second iteration of the artifact happened that day. I sketched all of the connections and eveything I need, in order to make the artifact I had to do more research and create a bill of materials.
March 9. 2016– technology meeting with Michael
Today was a day where I talked about all of the possible outcomes I can have from using the materials that I declared.
bill of materials:
Android Smartphone (HTC m8)
Computer
Arduino UNO
HC-06 Bluetooth Module (Thinksphere NYC)
24 NeoPixel rings x2 (AdaFruit)
Vibrating motors x2 (AdaFruit)
Gesture sensor (SparkFun)
Headphones (RadioShack)
During March 9th, I worked on my project a lot to declare every single connection, because I wanted to be sure that I will not face any technical difficulty while I am wiring the whole system. However, I was still missing the design…
March 10. 2016
On this day, I asked myself multiple questions to understand and believe in my own concept. Also I used this day to understand peoples views about daydreaming. The questions I asked was provided by Michael. I questioned my product, my concept and I was good to go, and build my artifact.
” You’re Just a Daydream Away”
-5 day break from overthinking-
March 15. 2016
AutoCAD time! I designed the object virtually by teaching myself how to use AutoCAD for the first time. I also was sure about the design so, it was time to buy materials. I ordered what I needed from SparkFun and Adafruit also I had a small hike through east village for extra parts, such as cables and bluetooth and headphones.
-4 day break waiting for materials-
March 19 – March 28
Building the object + wiring took the whole process in this time. I am attaching some pictures from the end product but daily progress, research, presentations can be reached over github link that is attached at the end.
The code:
The progress of the code can be seen in different documents inside the repository I created in Github. The code that will be seen on this post is the final version.
Bluetooth HC-06 (Android – Arduino Voice Command Communication)
First of all I downloaded AMR_Voice application from Google Play store, also wired my bluetooth to Arduino. With the functions I declared, the specific vocabulary had specific color schemes. Voice command can also be used in order to turn on and off the device. I chose to communicate with bluetooth as one way of communication with arduino because daydreaming is usually take place on the bed, by the technology the user would not have to get up and do any analog movement.
Gesture Sensor
Gesture Sensor reads 6 different directions, which are UP , DOWN , LEFT , RIGHT , FAR and NEAR. I used UP command as turning the device on. DOWN command to turn it off. NEAR and FAR commands stand for NeoPixel functions created by Adafruit. These two functions are only build-in in order for user to create out of box color schemes. I selected gesture sensor in order to create more mystical and future in time kind of an effect.
NeoPixels
These beautiful LED rings, shine up in different colors according to commands that they get. They can shine in many beautiful colors, and the LED ring I used has 24 separate LED’s and build by AdaFruit.
Vibrating Motors (connected to 3.5mm audio jack)
These really small hectic motors are connected to 3.5mm audio jack. So that the user can connect their vibration headphone to their computer and listen to music with vibration. The reason behind using an unexpected way of listening to music was in order to create a in between state, where reality and artificial reality clashes.
List of the 6 libraries / bodies of code that I chose to use/write:
0. <FastLED.h> (for practice of neopixels)
<Wire.h>
2. <SparkFun_APDS9960.h>
3. <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
4. int voiceCommand() ( +if/else +functions )
5. int handleGesture() ( + case/switch +functions)
The writing about artifacts, shared by Stanford University, defines the meaning of artifact in different areas. However, in general sense the idea of artifact is, an object which is created in order support and improve human and animal lives. According to reading artifacts might be defined as the products has intentionally made for some purpose. Also an artifact has to have an author / maker. An artifact with multiple authors or makers can be called as “collectively produced artifacts”. Even animals use artifacts in order to support and improve their lives. This is the part of the reading I am considering as the main meaning of artifact in my field.
” The art of making something involves intentional agency; thus an artifact may be defined as an object that has been intentionally made for some purpose. “
Which if an artifact is expected as a project. The artifact has to serve a purpose, in a bigger circle.
This iteration was mentally + physically frustrated for me, however while i am writing this post, I feel accomplished and honored. I started my second iteration with some research, yes, I am looking forward to make a lamp which is responsive to sound, however, what if the colors also had a meaning. Last week I downloaded an app called f.lux which changes your screen color to shades of yellow-red just like the color of The Sun. The reason behind f.lux is the application offering their customers more efficient sleep cycles, with keeping them away from melatonin killing white light.
So I decided to integrate this idea with my project. I started with sketches, since the color palette is based on the Sun, I wanted to have a round ball shaped plaster sun. I did some sketches to finalize my idea.
I decided to build my object by starting from the top part ( sun ) I decided to find an origami of a ball, and then cast it. I build the origami.
Materials:
1- Paper
2- Plaster
3-Bowl of warm water
4- Basketball
5-Tape
And then I plastered it, however there were bunch of problems rising, such as I plastered a paper it was already stuck to it, ofcourse after getting wet plaster lost the ball shape. Since I used so many layers the drying took so long.
I needed a new object, so I decided to plaster cast my suite mates basketball. It was huge and it was going to take so much time, but it was the only object I was able to get my hands on at that moment.
As it was expected a lot of problems occurred with the basketball,first of all it took, sooo long to get dry, and it was nearly impossible cut it out easily, while i was taking it out it already lost its shape and I also popped the ball… After spending around 3 hours on this, all I created was a master mess.
I took a break and next morning I started working again, I did new sketches and ended up with a totally different design.
For the design I wanted to use plywood and translucent sheet.
The size of the box : 10in width, 5in height, 3in depth
I built the box however, There were still many problems… First of all the plywood i bought from utrecht was bent, so the Elmer’s Glue-All MAX did not stick. I thought the problem was the glue type, so I decided to go and but Elmer’s Wood Glue, however, that glue did not work too. So I had to use tape.
The second part I worked on was the translucent paper.
I was not really satisfied with the look of the object yet, I was planning on doing some alignments after the second most important part, wiring and coding. So as I got inspired from f.lux I decided to do a little of math.
Materials:
1- Photoresistor
2- 12 LED’s
3- Real Time Clock
4- 13 Resistor (12, 330) and (1, 10K)
First of all, I connected the LED’s with resistors. All of the LED’s are connected to digital pins number 2 to 13. Two LED, from the end are red, because they create the sunset color.
Green wires = Analog inputs
Yellow wire = Digital inputs
Black = – (ground)
Red = + (vcc)
After that, I connected the photoresistor, so that the LED’s will be responsive to light. The light change happens when the brightness reaches 400, mapped between 0-1023.
The last piece was the Real Time Clock, which took me a while to understand, however I got it working. But, Real Time Clock’s code is not ready yet, so the durations are based on x200 faster version.
So this is what it looked like so far;
And then I put everything in the object I created.
As I said before I was not really satisfied with the object, so I decided to go to some renovations. One of the useless glues that I bought was gonna be the main decor of the object.
I finished the object and I was really satisfied with it. It looked really really nice when I turned of the lights.
These are the videos of the lights; before we watch I want to talk about the math behind the lights. In order to divide the day into intervals I had to find out about average sunrise / sunset time. I declared sunrise time as 6AM and sunset time as 8PM. A day is 24 hours but this lamp only represents 14. 14 hours = 504500000milliseconds I divided that by 4. Because I have 12 LED’s and i had to make them represent different intervals. The Result was 126125000 milliseconds. Every 3 LED represents 3.5 hours of a day so I needed to find how many seconds between just 2 of them. So I divided the number by 3 and the answer was 4204166 milliseconds. This is the technique I can use without using Real Time Clock, but that would be cheating. However, since I am going to work on the code in the following days for the next iteration, I decided to make a demo which is 200x faster then real time example. 14 seconds between every led represents 1.15 hour. While the day goes, lights act up with it and the saturation / brightness of the color changes.
On my next iteration, I am looking forward of adding microphone so that I can program the Arduino to respond to sound. Also I want Real Time Clock to be working. + Design improvements.
Computer programmer Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is an American computer programmer, Internet entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the chairman, chief executive, and cofounder of the social networking website Facebook.
