90% Art + 10% Technology

Waves of Leaves

(shine*) — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:42:17 +0900

'Waves of Leaves' is an interactive, kinetic ceramic sculpture that is made of clay.

http://itp.nyu.edu/gallery

Full Image

Abstract

'Waves of Leaves' is an interactive, reactive ceramic sculpture that is made of clay. By detecting the proximity of the viewer, and by implication the viewer’s gaze, the sculpture reacts by showing gentle movements. The piece is intended to address the concerns of beauty in natural forms and materials, and a controlled form of minimal interaction in technologically augmented art.

Composed of hand-sculpted ceramic leaves ranging in size from 2 to 5 inches. Each leaf is supported on the base by metal rods, which are in turn controlled by servo motors, micro controllers and take input from ultrasonic proximity sensors placed around the piece to detect the distance between the viewer and the piece. The servo motors are controlled by Arduino. When the processing unit senses motion from viewer, the leaves move and tremble like a tree waving in the wind. Each leaf has a range of motion, able to move up and down, once and repeats. There is the side effect of sound and motion when they hit each other on the way of their motion.

My goal is to create an artwork inspired by the beauty of nature, reinterpreting that beauty into a visual work. A piece that can distinguish itself from other interactive art as well as from other ceramic artwork through the controlled use of viewer interaction. By doing so I want to make a piece that is more approachable in enjoyment than static sculpture, yet at the same time be able to maintain the artist's original intention and vision of the work.

detail1

detail2

Keywords
interactive art, kinetic sculpture, ceramics, physical computing, controlled (limited) user input, proximity, nature, aesthetic pleasure (beauty), gaze, artist's intent

Implementation
Its design is inspired by nature, and I have created leaves and arranged them like a waterfall or a visualization of wind. I wish to communicate that the beauty of nature is in its shapes, colors and movement, and it is my intention to recreate that beauty with this piece.
Composed of hand-sculpted ceramic leaves ranging in size from 2 to 5 inches. Each leaf is supported on the base by metal rods, which are in turn controlled by servo motors, micro controllers and take input from ultrasonic proximity sensors placed around the piece to detect the distance between the viewer and the piece. The servo motors are controlled by Arduino. When the processing unit senses motion from viewer, the leaves move and tremble like a tree waving in the wind. Each leaf has a range of motion, able to move up and down, once and repeats. There is the side effect of sound and motion when they hit each other on the way of their motion.

mechanics inside

user scenario

functionality diagram

Zone1.

At this point the sculpture will stay still for about 2 minutes and then make a slight movement of each leaf moving up and down at a slow speed. It is an expression of the desire to be notice, to seek attention. Without someone's concern, the sculpture as an art is less meaningful.

Zone2.

The sculpture's movement is more expressive and graceful. It makes some sound as individual leaves make slight contact with each other in their movement. At this stage the sculpture and the viewer are meaningful to each other, and the leaves are happy, and hopefully, the viewers are pleased.

Zone3.

If the viewer comes closer to it, the sculpture's movement will stop mid-cycle. This sudden stop represents a pause of consideration - has the viewer come closer to the piece in interest or with malice?. After few seconds, the leaves will settle and then jump up to a certain random height together to start cascading down again. The motion continued representing a sentiment of joy with the realization that the viewer has come in interest, in appreciation.

Design and mechanisms

(shine*) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:52:52 +0900

useful mechanism

(shine*) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:01:47 +0900

Liner Motion

http://flying-pig.co.uk/mechanisms/pages/rackandpinion.html

Flower - Kim Chun-su

(shine*) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:57:07 +0900

Flower

Until I spoke his name,

he had been

no more than a mere gesture.

When I spoke his name,

he came to me

and became a flower.

Now speak my name,

one fitting this colour and odour of mine,

as I spoke his name,

so that I may go to him

and become his flower.

We all wish

to become something.

You to me and I to you

wish to become an unforgettable gaze.

3. A book that has inspired or informed my thesis project.

(shine*) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:03:09 +0900

1. About Beauty - A Thomistic Interpretation

2. The Aesthetic Appreciation of Nature

3. Artspeak

2. A project of mine that has inspired or informed my thesis.

(shine*) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:59:18 +0900

CeraLeaves

Ceramic Art + P-Comp

Final project for Project development studio Fall 2007

first idea

I made it for the first prototype of my thesis project last semester. This is an interactive ceramic installation.

I arranged the ceramic leaves like falling leaves on the wall. There is a IR distance sensor, so it detects the distance between viewers and the piece.

There are three stages.

The first stage is no one in front of it or someone far from it. It is on the wall like a painting. In general, people don't care much of paintings around them. When people don't care of it for a few minutes, it will move very slowly in order, from top to bottom like falling leaves.

The second stage, when people find that it's moving, they will get interest of it and come to the piece. Then, the leaves will swing faster. The viewers will realize it's interactive.

The third stage, people will come closer to the piece, then the leaves will shake fast.

Problems from the first version.

1. wrong choice of background material and color.

2. motors didn't move smoothly so it makes sound.
3. difficult to disassemble

1. A project by someone else that has inspired.

(shine*) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:57:08 +0900

Wooden Mirror - Danny Rozin

2004 winter, it was the last vacation of my university life.

I was studying Ceramic Arts but I didn't like it that much. I was interested in visual communications design for a very long time. However, after studying design for a couple of years I found limitations in plane works of visual communications design. I found out that what I wanted to do was to do arts where I could freely express what I wanted to express, and design was insufficient for that. But I couldn't find what I exactly want to do.

In February, 2005, I could decide my path by chance from reading my favorite Korean design magazine. There was an article about 'W Hotel' in Seoul, and in it, I could see a glimmer of hope to decide my path - the 'Wooden Mirror'. Numerous wooden pieces moved like dominos, following the movements of human beings, and finally making a human figure. I headed to W Hotel right away, and there I saw the Wooden Mirror.

At the first glance, my joy was beyond expression, and there I could decide my path to Interactive Arts without hesitation.

I want to do art works where eccentric and unique ideas are combined with formative arts and new technologies. Furthermore, my belated finding of the attractive material, clay, gave me the desire to show a completely new possibility in the area of Interaction Arts and Ceramic Arts, with the harmony of Clay sculptures and technologies.

This is the story of how I knew ITP and why I am in ITP and what I want to do at ITP and in the future.

Wooden Mirror in W Seoul-Walkerhill hotel

Artist : Danny Rozin