Ramya
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EnviroSense
My interest in communication spaces that go beyond static visuals, and into spaces that explore new conceptual possibilities as well as new meduims, has been increasing over the past year, and this project adds to a list of various others taken up with the same intention - exposure to communication possibilities beyond static graphic design, or possibiliites in visual communication that go beyond the static 2Dimensional space.
Week 1:
Day 1 - 07July09
Introduction: basic idea of course
The course aims at exposing us to a new programming language and visualization tool, Processing, and new technologies such as Arduino etc. through a live, client based project, which involves the production, from concept idea to finished product, of five air pollution sensor devices which are visually effective as forms as well as act as data collecting devices, to be installed at five places around Bangalore city.
We looked at:
Technology and Information:
Scientists vs. artists - social utility of information- paradigms Open source -democracy in information, information as power.
Basic idea of what we are attempting
Basic introduction to technology involved and terms we will be using.
Arduino
Processing
Beginning processing - nested loop
Sensors
Music/sound in science and art:
David Dunn – Acoustic Ecology Concepts: - Observer as participants - Characteristics of the environment as a mental space or a whole - Interventions in environment and ways of looking at it
Pauline Oliveros American composer ‘Hearing happens involuntarily. Listening is a voluntary process that through training and experience produces culture. All cultures develop through ways of listening.’
Environmental/ecological art –
Land Art
Andy Goldsworthy – the landscape as medium and the subject of communication.
The conceptual premise of this project has become a little clearer after reading David Dunn's article. I am interested in the development of the course, in terms of bridging the conceptual space with actual deliverables. Material is interesting; electronics, programming as well as conceptual possibilities and I’m hooked! The pace and flow of the classes should pick up soon, a space like this needs constant motivation and good rhythm to follow through.
Day 2-08Jul09
Processing - started with the basics. Conditions: For loop If then conditions
Checkerboard
Color switch- key pressed
Old basic programming knowledge helps in picking up processing. Interesting to see how ideas that emerge from knowing Processing, and those that emerge from the conceptual/theoretical space are different and how bridging/merging both is possible. Questions about whether and how these new possibilities and the flexibilities they bring is a good thing. Responsibility of the information provider/molder - paradigms. Information overload, consequences of uncontrolled media - good and bad.
Day 3-9Jul09
Continued with Processing -key pressed
Gaining a little more confidence, although everyone's learning is not the same. Exploring and learning by collaborating with peers.
Day 4-10Jul09
Introduction to Arduino board
Using leds - knightrider program- It worked!!!! :D .
Bread board
Basic electronics.
Key pressed
Mouse rollover
Using processing for/with arduino - have not understood the full potential or possibilities of this, hope to gain more confidence and understanding as the project moves on .
Week 2: 13-16 Jul09
Articles Discussion in class:
What is the final usefulness quotient of these final products?
Influence mass change/policy? How and why?
Who are you telling? To what effect?
People need to see-
The big picture What are the connections? Meaningful archiving of relevant data.
Positioning - in relation to the audience Paradigm- artist or designer?? who is giving out this information, ...authenticity? How does one person/few persons go about doing this?
How do u communicate art / aesthetic / 'clever' piece of work in a straightforward 'mainstream' way
Use people's existing modes of thinking , subvert them, instead of forcing something completely new..
Mapping Areas – processing exercise Proves useful as a test of level of comfort and understanding of Processign so far. Not bad!:D
A look at IntheAir project makes the possibilities of what we are attempting much clearer. Victor is able to give us an overall complete picture of the scope of the project and the overall framework of this field of work. The course itself still looks fuzzy, uncertain of where we are headed or what we are expected to do. Feel a little lost in terms of contextual grounding and our actual purpose.
Benjamin Bratton
Natalie Jeremijenko
feral dogs http://www.nyu.edu/projects/xdesign/feralrobots/upgradeindex.html
Ooz:Ooz is interactive in that it provides human a set of actions, the animals provide reactions and these couplets add to a collective pool of observations.http://www.nyu.edu/projects/xdesign/ooz/
Work with Sensors begins :
Touch sensors- flex and rotary sensors. It ought to be easier and more organised, but this way its even more exciting when something finally works!! Made colour and size change happen in a circle , corresponding to a flex sensor using processing. Excited about possibilities! already coming up with ideas..
Week 3: 21-23 Jul09
Pachube
Grappling with the gaps in conceptualization and working with understanding the tools. Time seems to be running short as we are not yet comfortable with the tools and product ideation has begun. This part lacks a structure that seems to be required, more guidance maybe? Learning has gone into ‘every-person-for-themselves’ mode as people’s explorations branch out into their own areas of interest.
Using basics learnt so far we set out to accomplish our first finished product: Prophecy Tube.
Using a simple input-output device using a light sensitive resistance LDR as input/sensor and piezo speakers as output.
The main aim is to send the readings from the sensor through the Arduino and Processing to an online data archiving/sharing/monitoring portal called Pachube.
The hidden prophet in the tube starts to sing (tune played through piezo speakers) when someone opens the tube. The prophet ceases to sing as soon as the curious spectator tries to take a closer look.
The nature of what was involved in building the final products became clear.
Week 4 : 27-30 Jul09
The beginning of product concept ideation begins. Victor tries to bring more cultural context into the ideas. The premise is confusing and we are unsure of what is expected, although inspired by works shown, we are unable to draw equal parallels with respect to this project. Initial ideas are not great, but taken forward as warm-up exercises.
Meeting with the Scientists makes the origin and intention of the project much much clearer. Now the deliverables and scope of the project is much more in focus. Reality hits. The Scientists are looking for ideas that will open up the kinds of possibilities in terms of intervention. Final deliverables, although expected to be functional and practical can be as varied as possible.
Week 5: 3-6 Aug09
Discussion with Rustam- throws more light on the system and context we are dealing with. Getting our facts right. Looking up authoriries and parties involved , practical possibilities. Questions on the role(s) of artists designers rise again.
Group-wise product development begins. Products chosen from initial ideas themselves. Leaning towards Public interventions and emotional appeal.
Idea 1 – Pollution Garland :
Garlanding important public figurines as a performance.
Idea 2 – Balloon Demon
Drawing from the evil-eye demon nstalled on households and other buildings.
Helium Balloon Monster head that glows and changes height, as an indicator of the pollution levels. Attached to a steeper/servo motor which is programed to turn according to the gas sensor readings, and leds programmed to light up also accordingly.
Placed on various rooftops across the city landscape as indicators that can be followed.
Tentative ideas for the form of the Balloon:
Bird
Human figure
Abstrat form
Single unit vs. collection of many
Figuring out the basic programming of components and their assembly.
Week 6- 10-13 Aug09
Construction of Final Product Prototype
Product 1 : Garland
Consists of:
General Air Quality gas sensor that is attached to a 9 volt battery and an arduino board programmed with a basic colour switch program. An RGB LED strip is attached as output and insertesd into te garland. This LED strip reacts to the readings from the Gas sensor and changes colour according based on ceratin numerical limits set in the program, which correspond to the range of readings given by the gas sensor.
Product 2 : Balloon
Consists of :
Servo/Stepper motor who’s roation is programmed , using the arduino to react to the inputs received by the gas sensor. Depending on the limits set in the program the motor turns, thus changing the height of the helium ballon (which needs to be made into a meaningful form – as discussed above) that as attached to the pulley/spool put around the motor. Leds inserted inside the balooon itself are a second output that also react similarly as the garland, indicating change in readings by changing colour.
Week 7 : 17-20 Aug09
Building and refining product. Presentation to Scientists.
== Week 8 : 24-27 Aug 09 and Week 9 : 14-15 Sept09 ==
Project Identitiy, Final Publication and Course documentation.
