Interactive Performance at the Japan Society in NY

True

http://true.gr.jp/

A new sound, light and dance performance

at the New York Japan Society

November 2008
Thursday,13, 7:30 PM
Friday,14, 7:30 PM
Saturday,15, 7:30 PM

Description of work:
The new sound, light and dance performance, true is a stage
performance piece that explores the relationship between the brain
and the reality we face, and is, performed by two performers.

The white-floor stage is sandwiched by metal scaffoldings on both
sides, has an circular truss 8 meters in diameter up in the ceiling
to hang LED lights, a screen in the back onto which computer-
generated graphic images are projected; and a table that looks like a
simple, regular wooden table, although a bit bulky, but is in fact
loaded with a number of mechanical devices, and works as the main
*neural center* of the stage. On top of the table are some usual
things like books, a photograph, a globe, cups and glasses, etc, and
the two performers play with them, on, through and around the table.
As for lighting, the digitally controlled LED technology enables
instant color changes and high-speed synchronization for a whole -new
lighting experience. For sound, oscillators are attached to the metal
scaffoldings on either sides of the stage and shake them in synch
with music and the performers' actions to enhance the acoustic
experience of the audience.

Using myoelectric sensors attached to the performersﾕ bodies, the
above effects as well as visuals are linked and synched to, and even
controlled by, the performers' actions at amazingly high resolution
levels that are only possible with today's advanced technology.
Filled with such new kind of light and sound, the theater space
itself becomes the extension of the performers' bodies that
repeatedly flickers and vibrates to provide the audience with a
totally new sensory experience.

A Telescope that reaches from Brooklyn to London

A cool installation is in the works (see photo of giant drill!)
It's a "Telectroscope" that bridges NY and London -- you look into it in NY and see London and vice versa. Great idea! Kind of like a portal.
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/telectroscope/

read the NY Times article >

the artist is Paul St George, a 53-year-old artist based in London.

The Telectroscope will be in place at the Fulton Ferry Landing in Dumbo, Brooklyn, from Thursday morning (May 22) until June 15, 2008.

MAKE STUFF!!!

...and impress your friends!

Here are some amazing classes for those of you in New York:

Learn how to make sensors, program microcontrollers, LEDs and EL wire, make computer music, interactive videos, and more fun stuff...

Art of Light: Controlling LEDs, EL Wire and Other Lighting Elements with Microprocessors
Sat-Sun 2/23, 2/24, 12:00-4:30 pm
Instructor: Leif Krinkle

Ableton Live for Performers: Integrating Live Computer Electronics Into Contemporary Performance
Tuesdays 2/26, 3/4, 3/18, 6:30-9:30 pm (note skipped date 3/11)
Instructor: Todd Reynolds

Video Tracking in Jitter: Expert Video Tracking for Sound and Video Control
Sat-Sun 3/1, 3/2, 12:00-4:30 pm
Instructor: Joshua Goldberg

Pyrotronics: Pyrotechnics & Control for Artists
Thursdays 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 6:30-9:30 pm
Instructor: Eric Singer

Microcontroller Progamming for Artists: Introduction to the Arduino System
Level 2: Sat-Sun 3/8, 3/9, 12:00-4:30 pm
Instructor: Roberto Osorio-Goenaga

Sensors for Dancers: Wireless Sound and Video Control Through Movement
(2-for-1 registration)
Wednesdays 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 6:30-9:30 pm
Instructor: Eric Singer

Electromechanical Systems and Robotics for Artists
Sat-Sun 3/29, 3/30, 12:30-5:00 pm
Instructor: Douglas Repetto

classes are at LEMURPLEX-- sign up at lemurbots.org

Funky Forest Interactive Installation

Funky Forest' is an interactive ecosystem where children create trees with their body and then divert the water flowing from the waterfall to the trees to keep them alive. The health of the trees contributes to the overall health of the forest and the types of creatures that inhabit it. Made with openFrameworks.

by Theodore Watson and Emily Gobeille, Netherlands

more info >

Interactive Jitter Video Installation for Chanel

I finally uploaded some photos for an installation for which I did the Interaction Design and Jitter programming -- it was a video installation in Chanel's NY storefront to publicize the release of their new perfume (promoted by Kiera Knightly) in September 2007.


We had a large projection screen and bright projector, and the challenge was really to get the interference from the street outside and the reflections on the glass not to trigger the animations. It was not easy to get the infrared cameras to see only the people in front of the projection.

With Vilamedia and Scharff Weisberg doing the projection and camera equipment setup, and myself doing interaction design and programming and Diego Bauducco also doing programming.

Urballoon Call for Submissions and Event at Eyebeam

Urballoon is a balloon with a projector and wifi that broadcast the content (photos and text) that people submit online onto public spaces.

Submit stuff now and it will be projected during the Interference exhibition at Eyebeam from now until November 10, 2007.

do it! >

http://www.urballoon.com

Vote on your Favorite Architecture on the AIA150's America's Favorite Architecture Website

A few months ago, I had the great experience of working on a kiosk and website with C&G Partners, which you can still see online at www.favoritearchitecture.org. The American Institute of Architects was celebrating its 150th anniversary and commissioned C&G Partners to design a "green" exhibit (which you can see here), a website, and an interactive kiosk for the exhibit.

The AIA had already whittled America's Favorites down to 150 buildings through a series of polls they conducted with professional architects as well as the general public. The kiosk and website allow additional voting by the greater "online" public -- needless to say a lot of controversy and discussion emerged from it!! In case you are curious, the Empire State Building, which was the original #1, has nothing to do with the online #1 favorite!

Which ones are your favorites? You can still vote and find out what other people think on the website. For best results select "FULL SCREEN VERSION"

The last time I checked it out, these were the results (you only see them after you have voted, but here is a sneak peek!):

SnOil - A Physical Display Based on Ferrofluid

This is an amazing art project by Martin Frey, where words and patterns appear in the ferrous liquid an make bumps that form the letters. Hard to describe how cool it is!

check out the site to see a video. He shows how it's made, too.

LEMURplex Performance, Gallery, Learning: Space

LEMURplex Performance, Gallery, Learning: Space

i heart LEMUR!!!!

Museum of Lost Interaction-- I love it!

This is a poetic and beautiful project of the Interactive Media Design Program at University of Dundee.

Check it out here >

It's a museum and a website that showcases recreated "lost" technology and interactions. It's really technologically interesting, because they've recreated all these inventions that no longer exist, or in fact, never actually existed because they never made it past the diagramming stage, and yet that (sometimes) mimic modern things in a strange way.

In their words:
"Welcome to the museum of lost interaction; a timeline of innovation. Nine exhibits ranging from 1900 to 1979, comprising audio recording machines, wireless morse communicators, portable video to the precurser behind iTunes. The museum holds an inspirational array of invention, guaranteed never to have been found, documented or exhibited ever before."

Here's an example: The Richophone.



"In 1900, the Richophone was a multi-player based game found in prestigious hotels and cafe's in and around London. The game was played from special Richophone booths, where players connected to the game through a system of telephones. The prizes to be won were very generous.
"

there is a post about them on we make money not art.

Paradox Beach Interactive Installation

Children are the toughest customers to design for, and this installation is a smash hit. It's installed at the Children's Museum of Staten Island.
check out the site and make sure to watch the video.

It's a room-size interactive installation that tracks the movement of a racket that kids use to drag elements around and play games (all the games are about math paradoxes)

The reactive surface is projected on the entire floor of the room so it really feels very immersive, and from what I've seen of it in action, it's fun for a wide range of ages (including adults!)

more details from the site:
"
description
Paradox Beach is a room-sized responsive multimedia installation and learning game for kids 6-10 years. To explore the mystery of numbers, the game begins with projected animated waves rolling across the floor, washing up numbers like sea treasure. Children collect the numbers with a magic net and use them to travel through secrets of age-old riddles. A walk-in video playland, Paradox Beach slides into mathematical whimsy, tickling children into solving problems with dance-floor interaction.

philosophy

With simple rules a computer animates graphic forms so they react to people. Children make decisions with their bodies and their minds, as they navigate through a story. Our recent experience with learning games tells us that kinds benefit from the sophistication of "adult" work combined with an honest, direct approach to stories and goals. We make these works for the kind of kids we were: curious, thoughtful and challenging.

installation

The game consists of floor video projection, video tracking technology, synchronized sound, music and narration. A single player game, the child stands directly on and in the projected image. Using the "magic net", the player makes selections and drive sthe story.
"