CTIN 542: Interactive Design & Production

Posted by kellee at 08:11 PM | Comments (0)

class 3 - 1/25/05

Issue of Degree of Attention Required
--- must match environment and expectation
(e.g., Diller + Scofidio’s webcam installation in The Brasserie, NYC)

Issue of Liveness
--- has a kind of magic that recorded does not
(e.g., OJ chase, moonwalk, 911)

Where is Augmented Reality (AR) in Public Spaces?
(favorite: coin-op binoculars facing the Bastille showing a perfectly registered overly of cast of 1,000s storming it, flames, etc.)

For a possible group project, we seem to agree:
--- Do something on campus for now. May lead to summer opportunities at EA or LB Aquarium.
--- Must be truly interactive/participatory, not just a visualization of something interesting (like Internet traffic)
--- Extra points for exaggerated input, like giant buttons, levers, and other physical/mechanical devices.

Posted by naimark at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)

Open Mic Schedule

Rules are:
--- Relates to "Interactive Design and Production"
--- Notify me of your topic 1 week in advance
--- 30 minutes hard deadline, including discussion
--- Blog your presentation

Jan 25 - Erin & Brad: class 3 - Research Assignment 1 (continued)
Feb 1 - Kellee & Andrew: class 4 - Research Assignment 2: focused research
Feb 8 - Ashley & Julie: class 5 - Research Assignment 2: (continued)
Feb 15 - Mike & Jenova: class 6 - Research Assignment 3: venues research
Feb 22 - Julie & Erin: class 7 - Research Assignment 3: (continued)
Mar 1 - Susana & Andrew: class 8 - Production Plan Deadline
Mar 8 - Brad & Ashley & Mike: class 9 - [CDG San Francisco]
[Spring Break Mar 14 –19]
Mar 22 - Kellee & Erin: class 10 - Production
Mar 29 - Susana & Jenova: class 11 - Production
Apr 5 – Julie & Mike: class 12 - Production
Apr 12 - Ashley & Susana: class 13 - Production Complete / Exhibition
Apr 19 - Jenova & Andrew: class 14 - Feedback
Apr 26 (last class) - Brad & Kellee: class 15 - Final Feedback

Posted by naimark at 04:51 PM | Comments (0)

January 25, 2005

Cremaster Cycle as Public Art

He took over the friggin' Guggenheim! "But Kellee!" you say, "Is this really public?" Well, considering the Guggenheim has free days, including the fabulous Museum Mile Day (which is how I saw the piece), I say yes. Especially since, because I saw it on a free day, there were so many different people partaking in this giant instillation that normally would have never gone. Which is exactly what makes public art so cool.

Here's a brief review.
Here's the site for The Cremaster Cycle.

Can we take over The Quad on campus for a day?

Posted by kellee at 05:26 PM | Comments (0)

CTIN 542 Assignment 1: Examples of local and far away interactive media in public spaces (Update)

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, an important base in Shanghai for science education and spiritual civilization construction, is dedicated to science education with "Nature · Mankind · Technology" as its theme. By integrating display and participation, education and scientific research, cooperation and exchange, collection and execution, leisure and tourism, the Museum is to popularize the scientific and technological education for the visitors by means of knowledge integration and learning through play, who will enjoy edification of the modern technology and scientific spirit through various amusing activities in the Museum.

six exhibition sections and one branch museum to the public in the first phase:
1)Earth Exploration Section
brings experience of all kinds of geological change to visitors.

2)Wide Spectrum of Life Section
showcases the topography in the rain forest, tropical plants and wonderful species, and displays the mystery of being.

3)Children's Technoland
where children can observe the outside world and participate in the scientific activities.

4)Light of Wisdom Section
demonstrates many scientific phenomena and unveils the order of nature

5)Audio and Video Paradise
displays the modern information and movie technology

6)The Museum of Natural History
exhibits more than three thousand pieces of precious specimen of human being, animals and ancient creatures, telling the legend of life.

http://www.sstm.org.cn/howyi/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Map
http://www.sstm.org.cn/cgjs/dxyc.jsp?t=xcty

California Science Center
West Coast's largest hands-on science center

The Science Center's Mission Statement
We aspire to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people's lives.

1)Creative World
2)World of Life
3)Science Plaza
4)IMAX Theater
5)ExploraStore

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/GenInfo.php

Posted by Jenova at 04:32 PM | Comments (0)

Examples of interactive public works

1. Local: there is an Interactive Wall/Mural currently in the process of being installed at the Institute for Multimedia Literacy. This is a product developed by Director Anne Balsamo's group OnomyLabs. For some reason, I am not able to upload files to this weblog, so I cannot right now display some of the pics I took of the wall (I'll show in class today). OnomyLabs' site shows some stills and video of walls that have been constructed for previous commissions. The wall to be installed at the IML will have a couple of default content apps which will always be functioning and available for public display/usage. I contacted Anne about possibly creating original content for the wall and, though our communication has been brief and limited, it seems that it is indeed possible. The wall is beautifully crafted and fully functional. The user scrolls the plasma display horizontanlly to any portion of the wall she chooses to focus on and augmented information becomes available on the plasma which further contextualizes the backdrop. I was thinking that this technology, fully realized already and available, could be interesting for us to develop content for. The content need not be like what has already been produced, and in fact, I am more interested in something more 'deviant'. Also, the physical space it (and user) inhabits could be rigged up with sensors for additional interactivity.

2. Non-Local: Ken Goldberg's Infiltrate: "In the center of the room, on a riser approximately 5 feet tall, a square fish tank, bare, approx 2x3x4 feet, spotlit from above. Inside swim 6 fat koi fish, one gold, the others white. On one wall the video projector displays a computer animated image of up to 5 moving ellipsoidal forms. The forms are white in color, and their movement is synchronized with the real movements of the fish in the tank, as seen from the perspective of the gold fish. Infiltrate involves 3 digital cameras and custom motion tracking software. Fish state, position, orientation, velocity, is estimated and conveyed in real time to a second machine. The video display uses a fast PC with computer graphics card to do real time animation/rendering of 5 shaded polyhedral forms."

Again, check the site for pics and a very compelling mov of it which illustrates what descriptive text can not. The piece is 'public' in that it is an installation in the physical world, most likely a museum/gallery. I find this idea extremely intriguing: through whose/what's "eyes" would you want to see the world?

3. Additional Non-Local: Hello, Peace!: is a project "based on an automated telephone system that lets any Israeli or Palestinian simply pick up their phone at no charge and talk with someone on 'the other side' about peace... When a person calls *6364, they identify themselves as Israeli or Palestinian, perhaps the age of the person they wish to talk to, and whether they want to talk now or later. A computer automatically connects them to someone on "the other side" who fits the profile and has expressed a willingness to talk."

This project may or may not be perceived as fully 'public'. I think that it is in that it inhabits our pervasive and ubiquitous 'cell-phone world'. It is available should a person want to use it, it is a matter of choice. Conceptually, I think it is of import and meaningful - with potential ramifications beyond the scope of art and/or technology; an inspiration for me.

Posted by susana at 01:43 PM | Comments (0)

January 20, 2005

class 2 - 1/20/05

Some examples I mentioned:
- Having a Nice Day? idea of JC Hertz (2 big buttons)
- Giant Camera in San Francisco (camera obscura)
- Hole in Space (unannounced NY-LA live video by Electronic Café)
- “Micro Movies” (chroma-key, template-based) (Marc Davis, UCB)

Others I didn’t:
- Webcam installation in NYC Brasserie restaurant (Diller+Scofidio)
- Art at Burning Man (!)

Issue of Sponsorship:
- MTA Arts for Transit Project, NYC (many others like this)
- Portland “2% for Art” architecture policy (many others like this too)
- Guerilla alternatives (fast and cheap)

Issue of Costs:
- Dwell Time
- Throughput
- Cost per sq foot

What is “Public”?
- Free?
- Not with Profit Motives?
- Integrated into an Environment?

Posted by naimark at 04:48 PM | Comments (0)

January 18, 2005

coming up empty

So, I may have been too restrictive in my classification of current LA local public interactive media, but I didn't find anything.

But I did find some resources that should help in the future for finding this work:

Directory of LA area public art:
http://www.at-la.com/@la-pix.htm#public

LA Weekly Gallery Calendar:
http://www.laweekly.com/calendar/content/gallery_all.php

Downtown Gallery Map:
http://artscenecal.com/Maps/DT.html

Rhizome's Calendar:
http://rhizome.org/calendar/

Posted by brad at 02:36 PM | Comments (1)

EnterActive (11th & Flower)

http://electroland.net/

select "EnterActive" at the bottom.

what:
This project consists of a luminous field of LED lights embedded into the entry walkway that respond to the presence of visitors; a massive display of lights on the building face that mirror the patterns of the entry; and video displays in the lobby and entry areas.

Environmental intelligence and surveillance of human activity are combined with a video-game sensibility. Activities on the walkway also trigger massive light displays on the building face. When the walkway interactivity is triggered users witness their impact on the building face via a video display. Response is instantaneous.

The building lights integrate with existing railings and glass structures, complementing the facade's layered appearance.

where: Downtown Los Angeles, 11th & Flower

when: 2005

This is sort of a local piece as well, just in the future. These building light things are interesting, but seem in danger of being repetitive. This piece in particular seems to be very "one-note" / unsophisticated, but I suppose judgement should be witheld for now.

Posted by brad at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)

Assignment 01 - 2 great examples of interactive media in public space

LOCAL:

what
The Santa Monica Pier Arcade
This arcade is a fantastic public space of interactivity and stimulation. When so many of our arcades have crashed and burned due to the popularity of home systems, this arcade maintains a great variety of games(digital and analog), performance spaces, and space for people-watching. A must-visit!

When:
Winter Hours:
Mon.-Thurs.:10:00 A.M. - 12:00 A.M.
Friday:10:00 A.M. - 2:00 A.M.
Saturday:9:00 A.M. - 2:00 A.M.
Sunday:9:00 A.M. - 12:00 A.M.

Where
Visit santamonicapier.org for directions.

FAR AWAY:

What:
REACH: New York is an "urban musical instrument" created for the 34th Street N/R subway platform to enhance and connect subway riders with their urban environment in an unusual way.
As passerby reach up and wave their hands in front of one of the eight "eyes" a beam of light will be interrupted. This activates REACH, which emits a beam of range of sounds - from melodic instruments to envirunmental "sound images". The piece is installed on both the uptown and downtown platforms of the station. Since the beams of light are designed to shine across the tracks, riders can play REACH with other passengers.

Who:
Christohper Janney, architect and fantastic interactive artists who has created a number of pieces for the public. Follow the link and check out "Urban Musical Instruments" for more examples of his work.

Bit of Background:
I contacted someone at New York's MTA Arts for Transit, the people who funded this, for more information.