Focus

Burning Man Art Instalation Proposal

Focus when assembled would be a material artifact, approximately 8-9meters height tower, triangular plan with the central focal point, where is the place for the fire.

The tower envelope consists of three walls that form a continuous surface. Wall construction should follow a simple process, adding rows of intersecting components one after another, starting from the base until the last row.

The design of Focus started by looking into a mathematical system of an Euclid’s algorithm and it was a way to generate it’s constituent elements, but it didn’t define the final physical form. The mathematical expression was left at some point during the creative process, when it was found as a formalized system that is closed and univocal and does not contain qualities of the artwork.

Although this artwork started as a mathematical formula, which was a rational and ideal expression intended for the rational and conceptual human being. Later Focus became a work of art when an intention of it was to be understandable and perceivable to all, this was achieved by mixing sensible matter and form of mathematical symbols with conceptual content.

Focus expresses itself in its own name and name holds its meaning. The name Focus has multiple meanings as the art work will always have embedded message given by the artist, but at the same time it is not necessary to know the story behind it. It will have a meaning that participants would give to it themselves. In Latin, the word Focus means hearth, fireplace, center of interest or activity, but it is not necessary to know the meaning to understand it. Focus would be a perceptive expression, as perception is the act and the result of the act, which consists through the senses and the mind.

Focus would create strong sensual experiences for the participants and observers. It is designed to play with visual, tactile, aural experiences and perception of these qualities would bring a human being into play with his own entity.

Its purpose would be a matter of expression.  It would be at the service of nothing and no one, but at the same time it would exist to act on the human beings.

Focus is the autonomous work for the autonomous human being who wanders around or goes inside to find what it holds, searching for the constitution of a meaning or, which amounts to the same, searching for ones own constitution.

Augmented Reality Trials

So I have been trying out a variety of software’s via my smartphone to enable the projection of architecture related 3d models onto surfaces which the user can orient and move around. The three strongest were;

AndAR   Augment   Aurasma

AndAr had the most consistant viewport, but could view only very low poly models

Augment could view more complex models, but was prone to crashing and cut parts of the model out

Aurasma I found to be the most successful. I joined as a developer, and after working through a lot of new software’s was able to create material maps, lighting and orientation (in Maya) to a level of control that the other apps do not have.

So if you want a go, download Aurasma on your smart device, search for University of Westminster’s channel, point the viewfinder at the playing card picture in the gallery and you can have a look at my model yourself!

I own the University of Westminster’s developer account it seems, so if anyone is interested in having a go then feel free to ask.

Smart devices

Smart devices are becoming an integral part of the way we use technologies. They are changing and reshaping the world, on economic, social and political levels.

Attached are two fascinating developments, the first is a report by the accounting firm Ernst & Young on the rise of  ‘Rapid Technology’ and its effect on driving transformation most importantly in Africa and India, and allowing for progress to made that by-passes many of the socio political factors which may of hindered it in the past, such as political corruption, economic sanctions, cultural restraints and most importantly economic restraints of actually buying the stuff. Technology is becoming cheaper than ever.

Six global trends shaping the business world – Rapid technology innovation creates a smart, mobile world – Ernst & Young – Global

The second is about Google Glass and how it could relate to architecture. I’m sure you have all seen it, buts its importance cant be understated. As one of the big players in the technology market the format of Google glass would allow the transmission of Architecture in a new and unprecedented way. Its still quite clumsy at the minute (my view), but what the developers are working on, and what they hint on in this video (that intuitive technology which is more closely linked to the person would make it less of a distraction) is a radical approach to the development of tech.

Its coming, end of 2013, we could all be wearing them this time next year. We live in exciting times!

Glass Architecture

WATCH.POP.EAT.

WATCH.POP.EAT is an installation that focuses on the idea of ‘gifting’ through popcorn. In essence a large scale popcorn machine, that people can interact and engage with to produce an end product that is fun and tasty. A witty, but practical concept, which uses the sun and a cheap product (popcorn) to create an enclosed visual of kernels sporadically popping.

The design uses a 43” aqua lens that, at its focal point creates enough heat for the kernels to pop. When water is poured over the thick clear vinyl (stretched over square frame) an almost perfect parabolic lens is created allowing the suns heat to be intensified.

The sequence of use has five main stages; Scoop, Feed, Display, Gift and Eat. A simple sequence of events where the user scoops the kernels from the storage container, feeds them onto the heating bed, watches the experience of random popping, takes the popped popcorn from the salty or sweet containers as a gift and then finally eats the popcorn.

Above: Night render showing how the ‘popcorn machine’ will be internally lit.

Below: Internal render showing the main event of the kernels popping.