eStudio_seminar

Bluff Installation (proposed)

2011-05-15T15:21:19Z

Green Stairs (Missing)

The Green Stairs were once an icon of the west side, but were structurally compromised during a rock slide in April of 2008 and removed shortly thereafter. A massive community effort resulted in a new stair design which was aesthetically progressive, fully-funded, and fastracked for completion before being permanently tabled due to lower-level bureaucratic decisionmakers. Unless a legislative champion steps forward, the blufftop neighborhood will forever be disconnected with the river, public transportation, and the central business district. The green stairs were historically used for exercise, as an evening destination with a view of downtown, and for daredevil antics by teenagers.

As a way of acknowledging the missing structure and the collective consequences of its loss, I propose a nighttime projection on the abutment where the stair tower once stood, and where its replacement is now missing. A random series of colored shapes is based on the design elements of the new stair project caught in red tape, and is projected in a quick progression. My intention is to capture both the permanent memories and the fleeting reality of the monuments in our immediate environs

Commensal Touch Transmitter- Independent Project

2011-05-15T15:48:39Z

In this installation, I wanted to continue investigating the use of recognizable frameworks to invite interaction, this time accessing a behavior I observed during the Hi5 project. The Commensal Touch Transmitter, CTT will invite people to touch a corner of a sign posted on a walking path, and transmit the touch down the path to the next sign. The device will have a commensally symbiotic relationship, in that unlike a parasitic one, the device benefits from the structure of the sign, but is non-destuctive to the (host) sign.

In the discussion last class, Jonathon had some great points about inviting people to participate, and over the course of the CTT being up I would like to try some different ideas for the patch over the piezo element. First I had thought of a silhouette of fingers on the corner of the sign, but maybe a comic style "slap" would clue people in to what is happening. Further, there could be different textures to invite touch. I don't intend to record the number of accesses in this case, so I will be observing, and participating, as the walking path is a block from my house.

To accomplish this, I am using a Piezo Element to sense vibration from the touch, some children's walkie talkie's hacked apart as described in Low Tech Sensors and Actuators and a bunch of 10mm LED's and Lithium watch batteries to power them.

Here are some sketches and screen captures and images from where I am in the process:

So where am I and what do I have left to do.

The piezo elements are en-route, and should be here this week.

I have gotten 10mmLED's from Axman, as well as a power source

I have the files ready to laser cut some acrylic for the light bracket/housing, I should be able to do that Monday or Tuesday.

I am hacking apart the walkie talkies today and have relay's to go between the piezo element and the walkie talkie wiring. (according to the Low tech sensors... pdf.

and that's it!

I think that's all that's left to do and they'll be up!

Constant Heat Roller Sealer

2011-05-15T17:21:53Z

Constant Heat Roller Sealer

this new addition to e-studio technology will be the key technology for BFA group to create inflatables inspired by lava lamps for Northern Spark Festival on June 4, 2011.

this roller Seals Polyethylene bags or cellophane by moving the 2 1/4" diameter PTFE coated wheel along the material to be sealed. Makes seals in any configuration round, oval, or square. Temperature range from 80 - 420° F. Seal width is 5 mm. Material thickness 6 mil. 115 volt, 70 watts. Comes with stand.

ephemeral vision border

2011-05-15T20:44:12Z

For my independent project I wanted to explore ephemeral art in public spaces. My initial idea was to follow another project I'm working on related to unemployment and create an installation. However, the material I had was not enough to make justice to the project and reducing it's scale would have established a weaker relation with the outdoor public space. Meanwhile, I visited Spectacular of the Vernacular(a show at Walker Art Center) 3 times in one week. I began to think about vernaculars from new generation's point of view and how we actually look at our vernaculars. Mainly about how can I bring aesthetics from digital world into real structural world? A parallel thought was inspired by Chris Larson's Unnamed - wooden bridge artwork in that show. It was made of hundreds of wooden sheets so I wondered, what can a single piece of wood do in a carefully constructed city?

Many of us look at the world through lens these days. We experience magical movements on cellphone screens while recording. We prefer to watch the viewfinder on a camcorder rather than seeing it directly with eyes, even when we are physically present at an event. The screen and camera's focusing rectangle have come so close to us, I decided to give it a life. Here I had another opportunity to create direct, physical interaction between two sides of this square phenomena.

I created two pieces of brackets using a single plank of wood, some wood glue and few iron screws. I kept it 6' tall with two 2' extensions on sides so that it would fit into my vehicle. Idea was to install these viewfinders at places where people can walk around and through it. The vision border would stay there only for one to two hours and then it could be found at a different place for another couple of hours. First installation was on Friday May 13, 2011 outside Carlson School of Management followed by one hour installation at 21st ave & riverside. It was a good test and I found many flaws in the design. The installation fell onto the ground many times, whenever wind was slightly stronger. First, I couldn't think of a better choice than adding triangular support to the bottom which would have destroyed it's visual appearance. Then I tried to make another brand new set with just one screw at each joint. It created a somewhat weak structure but I could then twist the extensions a little bit to make sure it stands straight on any type of surface. I also added some cushion around the screws making it kind of flexible but giving better resistance against wind. Just like a tree and branches, the vertical panel can shake but does not collapse that easily.

I decided to take risk and installed the visual border near west river parkway which normally sees a good amount of joggers, walkers and dogs. Since the path is narrower risk was higher if it falls on someone. I was quite sure about the safety, still I watched it from a distance without camera so no one could relate the piece with me. I changed locations throughout Sunday afternoon and noticed couple of walkers encountering the vision border twice. They stopped, turned around and looked through it and kept walking.

Being wood, the installation echoed with the surrounding trees. I thought the height and size was pretty friendly for a human height. It did not fall and did not feel like a door or some sort of check point. The interaction was natural and easy. Yet, it defined being on one or the other side, narrowed down vision to fit within the border and immediately expanded the vision drastically as one crossed it.

From my personal observation, new symbols, new cultures and new imagery (just like new people) when enter into our lives one at a time, it is so much easier and natural for us to remain comfortable. At the same time, the new element looses it's original identity and becomes a fusion of two worlds. I wonder if this is exactly how cultures transform?

Regis Hammock Project Overview

2011-05-16T01:42:32Z

The hammock project concept was created by Jonathon Kaiser, and was originally meant to be a network of hammocks roughly in a circle encouraging conversation. One of the first things I did as part of the group was to suggest how the idea might work off paper in the Regis space. As a counter proposition I suggested the windows might be filled with the hammocks, as a way to make do with the limitations of space. Limitations in materials, however, and dedication to the original circular arrangement led to a design with one hammock in a window with other hammocks grouped around it. The rest of my participation revolved around troubleshooting materials, costs and hanging strategies, all of which was discussed as a team. We figured out early on that rope could be purchased inexpensively. I purchased 50 ft of 120lb strength rope for $10, which was later replaced by a better rope with 300lb strength purchased for roughly the same amount. Attaching the hammocks was originally a problem, but luckily other team members were able to find a site explaining hammock attachment to trees. We figured out together how we could use those same strategies and fit the ropes onto the support beams in East Regis. In the end, limitations of fabric became the primary concern. We secured a good deal of material from Banner Creations, but could not get enough to fully complete any proposed plan. The four or so hammocks we already had in place were deemed good enough, and, after we placed a sign up, we decided the project was finished.

Family Tree

2011-05-16T02:53:03Z

In the end, I hung my handkerchiefs in a tree on my corner. As I was putting them up, a passerby asked what the project was. I explained that I made handkerchiefs for people I knew who had passed away with the deceased persons initials on them. As most of them were family members, the person offered the idea that it was somewhat of a family tree.

There were certain aspects of this project that I was very comfortable with. I enjoyed working with the materials and sewing, however, I was very uncomfortable bring the pieces out in the public and having people see me put it up. Putting so much time and investing energy in something made it really nerve-racking to see how the public would react. However, it was very rewarding. People generally seemed curious and interested. People were asking how long they would be up; others' were asking why.

I also wanted to mention that the making of the actual handkerchiefs was an important experience. It gave me time to think about these people. I thought about what the person would have liked their handkerchief to look like. The handkerchiefs developed a bit of personality especially when they were hanging in the tree.

I am excited to see what kind of life they will have in the public.

Thank you!

movie.mov

View image

Independent Project (Elisa)

2011-05-16T03:09:52Z

Marina Ambromovic has said that in her work she does things simply because they scare her. With a similar motivation, I have installed an inflatable plastic form in a public space on campus. For my independent project I proposed to actualize this inflatable project, as an exercise in doing something in public that makes me feel exposed and uncomfortable.
I gained quite a bit of knowledge from this experiment. I spent several days in the estudio with an iron and lots of plastic, trying to create an airtight inflatable. Due to lack of skill, and unyielding plastic as well as an insufficient bonding method, after many hours, I had still not accomplished my task. I had, however, created some colors and forms out of plastic that I actually liked. So, I finally ventured outside to see what I could do with those forms. I did not believe that there was any way for them to inflate, but once I had arrived with my plastic to an air-producing vent I have been eying all semester, possibilities began to emerge. Engaging with the actual mix of air, plastic and space, I found that it was actually possible to inflate the plastic, and that it didn't need to be airtight. Now that I have this information, I'm excited to try other forms in the future.
I also spent some time in letting the plastic interact with the wind. Photo documentation is included of that as well.

Final Corner

2011-05-16T03:40:00Z

My final Corner Installation included an experiment with paper, inspired by Michael Sommers.

An Artist of Influence (Elisa)

2011-05-16T03:45:48Z

Three artists are in my mind as I work on the corner project. Tomory Dodge's painting simulates two consecutive (mirrored) frames of a moving picture. The shapes appear to be falling in an ambiguous space.

Tim Hyde constructs surreal spaces by cutting apart and putting back together photographs of materials and planes in space.

Andy Goldsworthy uses found phenomena in a given locale to intervene in the landscape to alter its formal aesthetic.

Ephemeral Transformation Reflection (Elisa)

2011-05-16T04:37:31Z

Using the expansive space in the Regis Lobby to experiment with large installations has provided a lot of information that has proven already to inform my studio practice in helpful ways. Exploding with material in that space, first on my own and now with the Ephemeral Transformation Project has helped me better understand the materiality of fabric, the role of different colors in relation to one another, and the relationship between material, color, space and architecture.

Our group enjoyed discussing various ideas, brainstorming and researching possible sources of inspiration. The material that became available for our project ultimately determined the actual manifestation of our project. This is very interesting. Form determines content. Material comes prior to the meaning that is then produced through the manipulation of material. The material will necessarily inform that meaning.

The piece eventually became a party that was over before it started, representing its own failure to become or achieve anything. The idea that the event of which this party is a result never actually occurred makes the actual event of the art itself a trace of an immemorial past. Nothing every happened, and now all we have is the record of the non-event.

Concept Project Proposal (Elisa)

2011-05-16T04:40:30Z

I intend to continue working on some of the things I began in this class. On the one hand, am interested in bringing some of the elements of my outdoor installations back indoors. The plastic and the colored paper will become formal elements in installations that for me reside somewhere between painting and sculpture. I will keep producing similar forms, and in the spirit of biomimetics I plan to research different biological forms of organic growth to use as the maps for the construction of my own formal compositions.

On the other hand, I will continue my interest in the disruption of landscapes by way of planes of color and form. These disrupted landscapes will continue to end up as photographs. I am interested in the way that a shape can create a flat plane that abstracts the landscape, making one plane intersect with another.

Nicola- Picnic!!

2011-05-16T14:43:06Z

I have been inspired by this class to host a picnic in this "park" called svea triangle. The park really is not very usable, but it can be seen by many cars. The action will both be fun for the people who attend the picnic and also will be a spectacle for the people watching from their cars. I am imagining that everyone will be dressed very colorful or will be dressed in one single color.

The weather hasn't really been cooperating to host this yet, but there is plenty of summer ahead!

inspiration/ideas:

!!!Collective Community Celebration in the Clouds!!!

2011-05-16T16:58:12Z

this was in the 1960s.....

what could happen in the 2060's?!?!?!

!!!Collective Community Celebration in the Clouds!!!

///!World Social+Musical+Dance Interactive Festival!///

You and everyone on the planet are invited!

when: August 15 to August 18, 2069!

where: the sky!

what: a three-day coming together of all humans!

During the festival, each person will uniquely contribute to the experience! Each person's unique mind and unique body will contribute to the light and sound of the collective world community composition! The clouds and wind will transmit both the generated sound and light!

In order to encourage diversity and adventure, participants will be empowered with the ability to teleport to any location in the sky throughout the festival! Although people will be unable to talk during the festival, all will be able to express themselves with their thoughts and their bodies!

This festival will inspire creativity, equality, peace, communication, and play in this contemporary age! The collectively created light and sound will heal and transform all!

Inspired by Luke Fischbeck

2011-05-16T17:25:41Z

Luke Fischbeck:

Education

2003-2005 Brown University MA Music (program in Multimedia and Electronic Music Experiments)

1996-2000 Harvard University BA, Visual and Environmental Studies

Lucky Dragons:
1
2
3

Make a baby
1
2

Sumi Ink Club

Elysian Park Museum of Art

A Ray Array

-handmade
-DIY/punk
-participatory/democratic/social
-technology+life
-electronic music theory
-magic/mystic/supernatural/natural

Final Project continuation

2011-05-19T02:39:18Z

Viking Bar as Catalyst and Cultural Institution

My research is concerned with the reanimation or symbolic revivification of the Viking Bar, a bluesy dive bar that closed in 2006. This is a long-term project that will manifest as several on-site actions, a poster campaign, a website with a streaming radio station and a musical performance involving musicians that formally performed inside the bar. These activities will take place over the course of the summer and fall of 2011 while conducting in depth research. Topics of research will include personal history of owners, the development of the site and construction, and the cultural history of the neighborhood, particularly it's history during transition from occupation by working class immigrants to immigrant refugees. The form I am focusing on completing at the moment is to create Viking Radio.

I am in contact with several persons that have personal experience from visiting the bar as well as those who have a vested interest in the history of the neighborhood and its current manifestation. I am arranging to record interviews with these folks to gather content for a series of audio works that will be accessible through the online streaming radio station, Viking Radio. These will also be included in an archive that I will create but also open up to allow others familiar with the project to contribute to, a kind of People's Archive.

VIKING RADIO

Viking Radio is the creation of a concept radio station that uses the performances and recordings from those musicians that used to perform there to populate several iterations. Many of these performances can be gleaned from YouTube videos taken prior to the time the bar closed it's doors. These iterations will be broadcasts that proceed from intimate to very public. Iteration one is to create a playlist of songs that can be downloaded by anyone to a mobile digital music player that will be listened to on headphones while standing just outside the door and imagining the time when the music blared into the street from those same doors. This is intended as an intimate reimagining and re-experiencing of a past moment in time.
The second iteration, already realized, is a shop dolly mounted with stereo equipment that broadcasts from outside the doors of the Viking to everyone within earshot of the sound, blasting from the powered speakers. This is a lo-fi, hyper-local radio of sorts. The third iteration will be to mount this same equipment onto a tricycle in order broadcast this same collection of music while biking in ever increasing concentric circles around the streets adjacent to the bar.
The final iteration will consist of a low-power radio transmitter that hijacks a popular local FM band and broadcasts the music into the passing cars in the intersection in front of the Viking. This transgressive action forces the accidental listeners into an active role, changing them from passive onlookers of the degrading façade of the bar and transporting them back in time and into the role of a mobile audience.
Viking Radio will be accompanied by a poster campaign that co-opts the logotype of the Viking Bar signage to be turned into posters that announce the presence of Viking Radio. I will also create posters that mimic the standard music show announcement posters but are entirely blank, save for the Viking Bar sign logo as the header. These posters will be posted in conspicuous locations in the surrounding neighborhood. This is a material way to engage the neighborhood public's memories of, or recognition of, the Viking Bar's history or present as a vacant sign of potential.

LINKS TO AUDIO/VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/user/pnoblu#p/u/11/yh4EEfZMBoA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5-WpZ6aKOI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLpryj9Q4hE

Willie Murphy tracks
08 Nappy Head Blues.mp3
11 People Get Ready.mp3