I am interested in Physical Computing because I want to learn how to bring the different components of the art I create into the physical space. My background is in animation with a focus around abstract-experimental films, and I am struggling with bringing stories and beauty outside of a 2D space. In taking this class, I hope I can gain a better understanding on how to achieve that goal.
1. Capacitive Body #2
In this project, lights are reacting to the sounds in the environment. There are el-wires set up around the entirety of the space, and as sounds play around the environment, they light up accordingly. In the first iteration of this piece, el-wires are link to a piezoelectric sensor and a microcontroller. “Piezoelectric effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.”
http://www.andreasmuxel.com/artresearch/capacitive-body-2/
2. Perpetual Storytelling Apparatus
This project reminds me of the project Hektor by Jürg Lehni. The Perpetual Storytelling Apparatus collects data from an online database of over 7.5 million patents. It takes this data and uses the information to draw images accordingly. The machine takes words of text, then uses this information and searches the patent database to draw patent images that match the text.
http://www.feld.is/projects/perpetual-storytelling-apparatus/
3. LSP
Edwin van der Heide uses a combination of laser and smoke to create a relationship between light and sound in space. This is a sensory experience in which the viewer can choose and change their perspective while in the work.
In this piece, I believe that Heide is using the sound to control the movements of the lasers by changing the trajectory of them using the sine waves. By changing the laser trajectory within the smoke, Heide is able to create what appears to be three-dimensional light.
http://www.evdh.net/lsp/
4. À La Recherche
This is a site-specific installation which features what looks like an exploded disco ball. This ball spins in a constant 360 degree motion. There is a light that shines on the light and when reflected upon the wall, there are words that will display on the wall. When the words are read in a specific order, “the words are a reference to the legendary past of the space as Les Bains nightclub and ties into Marcel Proust’s magnum opus ‘À la recherche du temps perdu’”.
In the description, it is said that the orientation and distribution of each mirror piece on the disco ball are “computationally designed”. The ball is suspended in mid-air, constantly rotating, meaning that it must to attached to a motor. The technological aspect of this pieces seems to have only come into play during the designing of the piece. The words on the walls are just that of a light reflecting off of the ball itself.
https://artcom.de/en/project/a-la-recherche-2/
5. Heavenly Vaults
This is a generative and interactive digital installation projected on the vaults of the choir, the central nave, the crossing of the transept and the two transepts of the Saint-Eustache church. The projections on the ceilings are to the enhance the magnificence of the architecture, and to highlight the columns and arcs within the structure. As stated in the description, the projections are also to invite visitors to connect themselves to the spirituality of the church. Accompanying the visuals is the music by the organ of Saint-Eustache.
To make this piece, there had to been projection mapping involved to fit the video into the spaces. It was also mentioned that the video is played in real time, so there has to be a “large system” component involved in which there is data being collected. As for the interactive aspect, I am unsure as to what that might be.
http://www.miguel-chevalier.com/fr/voutes-celestes
