s-lab

the objet sonore

zb — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:41:10 +0000

In this project, the relationship between artistic creations and human motion will be explored with the objet sonore; a concept derived from Pierre Schaffer’s idea that sound can be considered as a separate entity independent of its source. (http://www.acousticecology.org/writings/schizo.html). In this piece a series of speaker objects combine into a movable sound structure. The structure uses a series of circuits that are each connect to a designated speaker. Placed within each of the circuits there is either a tilt, flex or a photo sensor. The idea is that with the sensors, during a wall dance performance, the action of the body can modulate the sounds such as when touched or when a hand is moved in front of the photo cell. The objects will provide interesting reverberations within a given that can be appreciated individually or as a whole collection by the listener.

{synthesize} poesis

pad — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:14:57 +0000

“poesis” encouraged visitors to participate in the co-authoring of a symbolic description of the relationship between an urban landscape and it’s occupants.

Through the metaphor of performance and performativity, a place of utility is transformed into a public space where objects become traces of journeys and the remnants of social engagements. Subjective interpretation and participatory storytelling is, in this way, represented in the ‘act of doing’ and is situated within an experiential process. While navigating and authoring individual journeys, participants actuate places and transform them into social spaces, while collectively, they are manifesting the ‘poesis‘ of pedestrianism.

Documentation and technical specifications, along with other project details, can be found on the project website. Or visit blog posts for process updates: .1,.2,.3,.4. An entry providing reflections after the presentation can be found here.

para

cf — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:12:08 +0000

System for opening and closing umbrellas using pneumatic actuators.

ReSound

sc — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:29:40 +0000

Resound is a pattern sequencer that can be modified by information sent from other networked objects. A predefined rhythm is disrupted by packets delivered from neighboring microcontrollers. Using everyday objects and small vibrating motors, unexpected sound patterns are constructed and then manipulated by incoming bytes.
more details

Chinchilight

mcn — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:08:56 +0000

My project is a little animal with magic capacities. The chinchilight have fosfluorescent organs which give to it the opportunities to catch the light, digest it and than return the rest of the light. The digesting system of the chinchilight is a little bit like the digesting system of human but really more poetic ! His food is the light and this one is controled by the data receiving .The datas control the amont of time the interior of the chinchilight is expoded to the light (all the datas are add and represent a delay). To reflect the light everywhere in the interor, I used a dc motor and two reflective scopes by hacking a flashing light game. After the exposition, a certain amount of light, is staying in the interior of the chinchilight for a certain amount of time. After few seconds of digestion (delay) the chinchilight return the rest of light. The light sensor of the chinchilight is so returning data. So, the light is the

For this project I had interest working with Xbee radio so I’d go to the ” Arduino & Wireless Networks:”. unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go further in the subject to make my things work with it (and find partners to share the wireless network with).

photo and video of your object in action

Kisses

zb — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:33:02 +0000

Kisses uses the three pieces of information recieved in the network project Cadavre Exquis as a communication signal to turn on LEDs on an otherwise static 2 dimensional painting. Through the Arduino processor, 3 incoming bytes of information (a number between 0 and 255) are received from the closest neighbor along the network chain. These three values are then taken in by the Arduino and output to turn on the LEDs in the painting at 3 different light levels associated with the received values. For example, if one of the values received was 85, then a series of LEDs would light up at a brightness value of 85/255. The information received is also re-routed to the next closest neighbour in the network where the values transmitted are 255 minus the value recieved with a remainder of at least 3 (to ensure that the receiver doesn’t receive a zero value). The LEDs are positioned so that when the lights go off, glow-in-the-dark paint would be activated on the canvass and then in the dark, many kisses on the painting would be revealed to the observer.

Electromask {Cadavre Exquis Project}

pad — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:24:36 +0000

“Electromask” endeavours to create a communicative bridge between two worlds that are veiled from one another. Further, it attempts to convey these otherworldly intentions. While residing firmly within the world of objects, the idiosyncratic artwork embodies the unique spirit of it’s human maker. As it’s circuits reach deep into the electronic nebula that is cultivated through digital communications, the mask attempts to reconnect with it’s human origins. Electromask thus transforms the wearer into an electro-psychic medium whom is enabled to transcend computation barriers: symbolizing an important cultural advancement in support of human-to-human relations.

Beyond the tongue-in-cheek conceptual theme, this mock of up Electromask represents a potential evolution in mask work and physical theatre conventions. The mask responds to and relays data bytes being sent over the class network, created for this project. Materials: Cheese cloth, acrylic painting materials, 8 Ohm speaker, red LED, Arduino Micro-controller, metal cage. Some background on mask work, the Arduino code, as well as details regarding the construction and process of the mask can be found here and here.

LuxTag

sc — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:27:04 +0000

LuxTag is a fast-paced, interactive, laser light game where individual players attempt to shoot light sensitive targets worn by opposing team members. The game begins when each player attaches a balloon to headgear equipped with photocell-sensor target areas. The object of the game is to tag players on the opposite team with hand-held light phasers to release opponent’s balloons. The first team to tag all opposing players, wins. There are many variations to the game LuxTag, it can be played by individuals (every man for himself) or as a team. Different tactical missions can be played, such as capture the flag, quick draw, defending a particular point/area, etc. LuxTag is both mentally and physically challenging, it is a game that requires tactical thinking, agility, speed and sharp-shooting.

link to LuxTag website

(sensing) “milky”

pad — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:40:12 +0000

“milky” is a high-risk game in which participants are responsible for protecting other organisms’ health and well-being. in order to succeed, participants must catch ordinary tap water in their mouths – avoiding the contamination of a live culture nest. if they fail, the water will effectively kill some of the milky probiotics and inhibit the living cultures’ reproduction process. There is a catch, however; successful game participants make an immediate personal sacrifice for long-term gains.

Rules of the game:

- Participants must catch tap-water drips in their mouths, as they fall, in order to protect Kefir culture nest.

- Drops missed will contaminate the nest and cause the temperature to fall. Kefir probiotics must sustain a temperature of 22 to 30 degrees Celsius in order to remain relatively healthy.

- A representation of the temperature and procreation activity of cultures will indicate blue (for cooling), red (for heating), and white (for ideal temperatures).Participants must catch water drops to affect the temperature, in turn influencing the healthy reproduction of the cultures.

- Participants are free to form groups to compete, or to work together cooperatively with the aim of protecting the culture nest.

Group Members:
Alec Mathewson, Craig Fahner, Morgan Sutherland, Neil Moignard, Patricia Anne Duquette, Vincent de Belleval.

Process & Schematics:
Further detail be found on the milky site.

Animate: Electronic Zoetrope

Alec — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:57:51 +0000

A zoetrope is an early tool used to animate a series of images by affecting the viewers persistence of vision. This example represents a simple electronic version using a push button and an Arduino to control LED lighting and a motor. Actually, this example is more of an electronic version of a Thaumatrope – a test used in the 1800’s to investigate the phenomenon of persistence of vision by spinning two images on a twisted chord.