Finally... a pattern, kind of

While setting up two of my FETs I noticed them responding to each other. They seemed as if one or the other at times was "taking" all of the surrounding charges. I tried to capture as much of this as I could but unfortunately it's less clear in the video.

UV Led and Diazo

This image was made using Diazo paper and a white LED attached to my FET mechanism. This exposure time was for 10 hours and placed directly onto the paper.



I found this UV LED "conterfeit money detector" at the dollar store. This key chain with one LED retails for $1.25 +tax which is quite the steal compared to the $3.00 some electronic stores were charging... not to mention many retail stores would have to special order them so add on the week for shipping.



Although the white LEDs were working, the images were still quite ambiguous because the LEDs were not emitting enough UV light to expose the Diazo paper. I decided to try the UV LED in it's place to capture clearer images and reduce exposure time. The results were very successful.

photo to be added

Laser Cutter - New Skin

The new skin will now have a hinged connector. This connector will hopefully allow for a more malleable skin and provide more versatility in it's coverage.

Bird's eye view

I was fortunate enough to get an aerial view of my site from the rooftop of the Watkins building. The view from above was even more unreal than the view from street level. The amount of debris and assortment of objects were even more than I realized after the snow had melted.










This realization presented many more opportunities for my FETs however also made concrete that mapping my site would be close to impossible. I also had the opportunity this time around to enter the site. The junk yard oddly less daunting to traverse through than I had imagined. While in the lot I notice a good deal of foot prints leading to an from odd cracks and crevasses along with:

1. HVAC duct
2. speed boat
3. kitchen sinks
4. shopping carts
5. dollies
6. industrial cake mixer attachment
7. fire wood
8. bricks
9. toilets
10. bath tubs

My interest is quickly shifting towards the junk pile itself than the existing structure however I'm trying very hard not to digress.

Structure:

The hole in the roof of the structure was something that I have no addressed yet. It is a component of the structure that cannot be ignored, primarily because it allows this beautiful beam of light though the space, it's also extremely large. I initially planned on covering it with my camera skin however I now think that that might detract from one of the key characteristic's of the space.

Paranoia

The following movie was an exercise to help develop my narrative. Throughout the film I tried to uncover "what" it was I wanted to record with my photography. Additionally the film attempted to capture the feelings of paranoia and constant suspicion.

Key Words

par·a·noi·a
–noun
1. Psychiatry. a mental disorder characterized by systematized delusions and the projection of personal conflicts, which are ascribed to the supposed hostility of others, sometimes progressing to disturbances of consciousness and aggressive acts believed to be performed in self-defense or as a mission.
2. baseless or excessive suspicion of the motives of others.

par·a·noi·a
n.
1. A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution with or without grandeur, often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason.
2. Extreme, irrational distrust of others.


schiz·o·phre·ni·a
–noun
1. Psychiatry. Also called dementia praecox. a severe mental disorder characterized by some, but not necessarily all, of the following features: emotional blunting, intellectual deterioration, social isolation, disorganized speech and behavior, delusions, and hallucinations.
2. a state characterized by the coexistence of contradictory or incompatible elements.

schiz·o·phre·ni·a
n.
1. Any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and may have an underlying genetic cause.
2. A situation or condition that results from the coexistence of disparate or antagonistic qualities, identities, or activities: the national schizophrenia that results from carrying out an unpopular war.

schizophrenia

noun
any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact

Client specific architecture

in·sti·tu·tion
–noun
1. an organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, esp. one of a public, educational, or charitable character: This college is the best institution of its kind.
2. the building devoted to such work.
3. a public or private place for the care or confinement of inmates, esp. mental patients or other disabled or handicapped persons.
4. Sociology. a well-established and structured pattern of behavior or of relationships that is accepted as a fundamental part of a culture, as marriage: the institution of the family.
5. any established law, custom, etc.
6. any familiar, long-established person, thing, or practice; fixture.
7. the act of instituting or setting up; establishment: the institution of laws.
8. Ecclesiastical.
a. the origination of the Eucharist, and enactment of its observance, by Christ.
b. the investment of a member of the clergy with a spiritual charge.

Behind the Able Building

These photos were from my first visit to the site. I did not go into the site because there were people "working" in there.


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Observations:

With most of the snow gone, I got a chance to really see how disorganized the lot is. There appears to be no rhyme or reason to how obkects are placed in it. There is also a wider aray of items than I have previously imagined. From ground level I noted:

1. table frames
2. oil drums
3. pallets
4. chairs
5. chair seats
6. shelves
7. scrap metal
8. tires
9. screens

It seemed as if most of the items in the yard are of metal however it is hard to make tht claim without entering the space. I will try my luck next time to enter the site

Thoughts

The Narrative:

Sheldon lives high above the streets of point douglas in a home-made, rundown water tower. He spends his day and nights watching his property, making sure thieves and scavengers stay away from his precious objects.

Sheldon suffers from extreme paranoia. He believes that the thieves are gunning for his machines his metals, his family.

what is the timeline

1. Components

a) Ether:

Is about the unknown, the unseen, the unexplainable mystery that we so desperately need to to clarify and understand

b) Point Douglas:

Point Douglas is a odd mix of worlds. There are residents, there are businesses , there are property owners.

Why is this this air of suspicion?

Why are business owners so protective, so secretive of their belongings?

c) Pinhole camera:

The pinhole camera was used to capture sights that were invisible to the human eye. Through the pinhole we can see the unseen; mysteries begin to reveal themselves.

What then is the connection?
- I am trying to see what is unseen and record it
What kind of architecture caters to viewing?
- observatories, museums, drive-in movies, national parks, theaters, arenas, towers, balconies etc.
What kind of architecture records?
- wall of cameras so a running horse can be recorded (first motion picture), WWII England - sound parabolas
- how do i make an architecture that records?
- what kind of viewing is it?
- what kind of recording is it?
- is the viewing and recording one way?
- is the viewing and recording designed for one person?
- voyeur?

I want to design a building that:
- allows for surveillance... inconspicuous
- records what can't be seen - photography

Components needed for photography - light exposure

What is the point of the movie?
the movie is going to help me focus on my design problem. it will help out the questions that I'm addressing/trying to answer in my project.

My question is, how can I make architecture that...

building as ether detector/machine

In inner workings of Sheldon Blank, the schizophrenic.

images:

time, stop watch
black light - traces
chalk board, tally marks

Laser Cutting Results

After assembling these camera bodies I realized that I had copied the typical form of a disposable camera. I was disappointed that I failed to make something more creative but at least they worked as a camera.



This was one of my first attempts at a FET film advance. I used the same technology found in my first term project (relay, motor, photocell) but because there is so much tension on the film, the motor was unable to advance. It could work with a more powerful motor however I'm beginning to feel that the complexity of the mechanism is taking away from the simplicity of the FET.

Camera Parts - drafting for the laser cutter

Pinhole Camera

Pinhole Camera

Working Backwards

After the desk crit with both Ted and Patrick I've decided to take on a new approach to my FETs and the project as a whole. Initially I was struggling with assigning a function to my FETs, I don't what I wanted them to "do." Then I thought I choosing a site first would help me decide the function, unfortunately that too was unsuccessful. I felt as if I was choosing a site based on how versatile it was or even by if it was "cool" or not. Ted brought my attention to the fact that I have a "sensing" device. The FETs as unpredictable as they are react to something, therefore I should be using their reaction as a means of either mapping where in Point Douglas they are active or conversely, inactive. Thus my project for this installation will be a type of machine that detects and hopefully even records the presence of ether.

FET Circuit

For those interested in how to make an FET circuit, here is the link

More Sites

Cracks and Crevasses:
One possible installation idea was to make numerous FET mechanisms that could be installed into the many cracks found within Point Douglas. The intention behind this option would be to draw attention to these micro-worlds that are often overlooked. This idea however does not seem to incorporate my earlier research on ether.



Telephone Poles:
Another option was to begin to use the telephone poles and wire as my substrate. My hope was that the currents running through the wire would activate my FET. The problem surrounding this site would be accessibility. Also, if there is a constant charge running through the wire, it may turn on the FET and never turn off (or at least until the batteries die).



The Disraeli Bridge (Underpass):
The Disraeli Bridge passes over the eastern quadrant of the Point, specifically over Higgins Ave., Sutherland Ave. and the railroad. What interests my about this site is the space that it creates. Furthermore the residual build up underneath the bridge lends to my observations of decay and exposure. The problems that come with this site is working with it without looking suspicious and devising a way to incorporate the FETs.

Decay and Exposure

On my most recent walk through Point Douglas I was fortunate enough to see the demolition of the Manitoba Cold Storage Building on Higgins. It was kind of sad to watch it being torn down (not that I have any sentimental attachment to it) but it was also really beautiful it an odd way.

Finding Substrates and Textures in Point Douglas

Substrate:

1. The material or substance on which an enzyme acts.
2. Biology A surface on which an organism grows or is attached.

Texture:

1. A structure of interwoven fibers or other elements.
2. The distinctive physical composition or structure of something, especially with respect to the size, shape, and arrangement of its parts.
3. Distinctive or identifying quality or character.
4. The quality given to a piece of art, literature, or music by the interrelationship of its elements.

While looking for substrates and textures in Point Douglas I came across many surfaces that were in a beautiful state of decay. The years of weathering began to expose the true material of the area. The surfaces that I found were very honest, very real and in my opinion, reflected the essence of the Point.

Note: decay and exposure (character of Point Douglas) = texture


The following images are of potential sites I found within the Point, all of which demonstrate varying amounts of decay and exposure. The only question that I now ask myself is, do any of these sites embody what a substrate is?

Able Building


Fire Escape on National Lamp MFG. CO.

Abandoned Car Under Disraeli Bridge

Observations from the Point

Observations:

- mixed use - residential and industrial
- low income housing
- dilapidated
- wood siding
- peeling paint
- storage found in sun porches
- shifting/sinking foundation
- high suspicion
- what are they doing? what are they hiding?
- their suspicion makes me suspicious/paranoid/scared
- a lot of "beware of dog" signs
- graffiti
- supposed prostitution on Higgins
- homeless
- no trains running between 11am and 3pm
- when do they run? do they run at all?
- high traffic areas:
- along Main St.
- 2 blocks south of the Salvation Army (pedestrian traffic past noon)
- along Sutherland (less traffic during the weekends)

Point Douglas

Point Douglas:
- known for its mix of industrial and residential occupants.
- low income area
- close to city core however property remains undesirable
- railroad tracks bisect the site
- very little in terms of new building

Progress Update

Several FET circuits with vine-like antennas and LEDs where situated together. The outcome was a symphony of LEDs lights that reacted to floating charges in the atmosphere, people, objects and each other.




Using the FET circuit paired with a relay I was able to execute more complicated actions. The figure below is an FET and relay hooked to a spy ear.Final Project:

The object that was produced for my final project was a series of tests that I had to undergo in order to better understand the concept of ether. Because the subject of ether can be overwhleming, I limited my research to revolve around the epistemology of ether.

Ether
1a. the clear sky HEAVEN : AIR
2a. a medium of unusual qulaities (as extreme tenuity, absolute continuity, and high rigidity and elasticity) postulated in the undulatory theory of light as permeating all space and transmitting waves.

Ether Drift
1. a relative motion held to exist between a body and the medium of ether

Medium
1. middle state of condition
2. means or channels of general communication
3. intervening agency by which something is converyed or accomphished


My first means of understanding ether was to experience it through my senses. This method was chosen because it is our most natural and instinctive way of understanding the world around us. Using my FET and the relay I began creating actions that would stimulate my eyes and ears. The functions included:

Sight - a bulb turned on and off allowing enough light into the box for viewing
Sound - the spy ear magnified the ambient noise from within the box

Through my epistemology research I learned that ether is not one dimensional, therefore I had to experiment with it in different lights. To do so I began exploring ether drift. I began questioning what the "relative motion" meant and how I could possibly create a machine that would demonstrate ether drift. After many attempts and I managed to create a series of functions that resulted in a automiton like ether machine.

Touch (Motion) - two motors where placed in the box...