everyone in the class was in the lab last night. i spoke to people about creative ideas. 5 of us decided to make an application that would allow each person to use a sensor to create a different colored line onscreen. the coding was an issue, since essentially only one of us is a strong coder. we were successful in having our application work for two sensors, but getting the others to read and draw as we hoped they would was more difficult that expected.
additionally, i met with dave and bob a few times about our project. the action for our project will take place on a stool using a bike wheel and animation with a strobe. the goal of the activity is to create an interactive piece of art referencing marcel duchamp’s work. the observer or user would stand next to the object and use a hand to spin the wheel. the strobe would adjust to the speed of the rotation and animate a gate or specific position on the perimeter. the person would need to be balanced and focus their attention on the gate to witness the animation. this person could also be observed by a third party as a piece of artwork. it is engaging because it takes a piece of dadaist work and continues in my opinion on a dadaist theme, as seeing a person spin a wheel and watch an animation isn’t necessarily aesthetically captivating. but what keeps the idea interesting is that we are taking a static object and adding physical and visual motion, as well as programming, light and interaction. it is much more dynamic and a learning tool. we have not yet recorded the action or created the prototype, but when we do, i’m sure we’ll be able to observe some patterns. also the medium is inviting as a wheel asks to be spun. with attachments and lights involved, a person who notices the object has little choice but to run up and spin it. prototype to come…