I’m in Berlin at the moment as part of a selection of 10 international artists attending an artist in residency program (http://www.glogauair.net/artists_current.htm).
The focus of my residency here in GlogauAIR is research how “data” can be waved into the narrative of a space and translated it into a esthetic experience exporting practices such visualization and sculptural data analysis to create physical interactive experiences. In particular I’m interested in translating weather patterns and behaviors, into immersive kinetic installation reveling the intertwine dynamism of weather systems and how it relates to our surroundings.
To do that I borrow form marine engineering, using elements such pulleys systems, knots, ropes and riggings , translating atmospheric pressure, wind speed and wave patterns in mechanical movements through digitally controlled motors.
[rev_slider GlogaouAIRopenStudio]
The idea for this project comes from Soundstorm and expand form it to wind pattern, ocean current pattern and even waves pattern.
This particular installation focus on wind patterns and wind speed. Described in a series of intertwined infinite pattern ropes rigged across the room, each system (each ∞ infinite circuit) interact with one another describing the interconnected nature that wind system holds to one another across the globe.
Wind and ocean current are the circulatory system of planet earth and infinite shape pattern are at the core of it existence. Wind and current move on the earth surface as well as in the earth atmosphere in spiral infinite shape pattern moving form high to lo pressure in case of wind.
Here are some link about meteorology and wind:
– Satellite Meteorology – Grade 7-12
– Living With Weather – Midwestern Regional Climate Center
– Encyclopedia of Earth
– Wikipedia Buys Ballot’s law
– Wikipedia Surface weather analysis
In this installation each rope activates based on wind speed of a given geographical area. The behavior of each rope in the array however is determined like in nature by the “condition” of its surroundings. Here data and behavior pattern and weave together along the audience to instinctively perceive and in time understand he complexity and intricacy of weather systems.
[rev_slider windsketch]
For the first 2 month of my residency I tinker with ideas, electronics and code. Here is a link: Sculpting with Data
For code samples and schematic please wait for my next post as I’m organizing the work and work in process to share with all of you .
After extensive research, I chose the Syren 50 driver as it allows me a great level of precision and stability, elements paramount for the success of this project.
So much can be done with this line of work and my intention with the residency is to focus my attention on the project exploring all possible option.
The problem with that is that the Syren 50 was hold on custom for 3 weeks so non of the system could be tested until 4 day before the opening. As a result I had to improvise and simplify the work
Finally the open studio I installed 3 rope system and controlled 3 motor with basic code. The work would automatically shut down every 5 minutes for 15 minutes and the rope were activated one of the time .
What I learn for the Open studio Install
Here I run into a problem I did not have with SoundStrom:
1) How to keep enough friction on the which surface so the ropes grips on the surface and move forward.
2) The winch diameter on 2 of the motor I got ( the cheapest I cud find on the internet ) was smaller then the fist one crating a grater possibility of rope overlapping and eventually gamming the rope with the risk of taking down the all sculpture.
I therefore had to create restrainers for the rope making sure the ropes were always running at the certain angle to one another and lower to the ground. this was more complicated for the 2 motor with smaller diameter.
For the install I was able to resolve this problem with a chap chat but I’m planning to use the rest of my residency to find a log lasting solution as I’m ultimately interested in using this set up for a number of future installation.
Most winches are design to collect rope one way not to let it pass it through so the shell is design to serve this purpose. One solution is to modify the which shell to fit the behavior of my sculpture but will keep you posted as thing move forward .
As sad .. more to come .