Gorretti

Finally... a pattern, kind of

2007-04-12T03:06:00.000-05:00

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

2007-04-11T21:50:00.000-05:00

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

2007-04-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

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

2007-04-09T21:48:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-28T21:31:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-27T21:28:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-22T21:39:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-18T21:29:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-09T09:21:00.000-06:00

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

2007-03-01T00:28:00.002-06:00

Pinhole Camera

2007-03-01T00:28:00.001-06:00

Pinhole Camera

2007-03-01T00:27:00.000-06:00

Working Backwards

2007-02-06T16:10:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-05T13:20:00.000-06:00

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

More Sites

2007-02-02T20:01:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-02T11:57:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-01T15:50:00.000-06:00

Substrate:

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

Texture:

A structure of interwoven fibers or other elements.
The distinctive physical composition or structure of something, especially with respect to the size, shape, and arrangement of its parts.
Distinctive or identifying quality or character.
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

2007-01-17T21:53:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-17T21:44:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-17T21:37:00.000-06:00

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...

The Great Wizard of Oz

2006-11-28T23:44:00.000-06:00

The Wizard of Oz came to mind when thinking about magic, illusion and electricity in relation to ether. I am not quite sure how exactly the Wizard of Oz will play a part within my project but I have a feeling it will help me solidify my thoughts and the overall form of the project...

Road Block(s)

2006-11-28T23:28:00.000-06:00

The past week has been spent trying to figure out what ether is to me, why it interests me, why is confuses me and what role it plays in my life. What I have come to realize through my research is that ether is still very much an unknown. Both in science and mythology it has and continues to represent a void of knowledge and it is this void of knowledge that creates this interest, and confusion within me. There have been many analogies that I have made to ether in order for me to understand what it is. So far the most successful analogy is that of ether to electricity. Electricity has the ability to do almost anything, it is found in nature, it is generated by humans, it can be captured, it can and cannot be seen, it is there without traces of its presence, it is ether. The idea of ether as electricity has helped me progress with my project however I am now faced with the task of manifesting the concept of ether into physical form. Because ether has been used to describe and be so many different things, I feel that there is no one way to represent it. A previous idea I had was to create an installation that would speak to our senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) but again how?Magic was another theme that I used to understand ether (and also electricity). Magic is also about the unknown and the awe that revolves around it. This idea will help me develop the theatrical component of this project and will also allow me to play with the sense of illusion. The question that still remains is the form that my project will take.

For the our last presentation I created a very ornate wall system that would react with the users of the space. The problem that arose with my proposal is that the form was representational and there is no awe evoking aspect. Also, the fan would not be used in an interesting manner.

other points of interest:

ether and anesthesia

Precedence - of natural form

2006-11-17T12:59:00.000-06:00

This plant from the Philippines is called Makahiya, in english it translates to "shy." I though of this plant early on during my research but too quickly dismissed it. Perhaps this is not an exact demonstration of ether but I think it is interesting to see such a reaction from a mere plant. This idea of unexpected phenomena is what I would like to capture in my project.

The form and delicacy of the exposed copper wire was derived from the leaves of the makahiya. My past ether experiments dealt with charges turning a light on or off, currently I am experimenting with ways of making the overall action more dramatic without overpowering the poetic qualities of ether.

Videos for Portfolio

2006-11-17T05:33:00.000-06:00

Please view previous blog entry before viewing.

FET

FET dark

Parallel

Parallel dark

Portfolio Pages

2006-11-17T01:45:00.000-06:00

see "Parallel" video

see "FET" video

Discovering ether

2006-11-09T00:31:00.000-06:00

Because I have outlined my focus of ether to revolve around the mystical definition I have allowed the word to be open for interpretation, as almost anything can be argued to be ether. Currently my goal has been to define the word for myself. To do so I have researched existing notions of ether.

What is Ether?

2006-11-08T23:39:00.000-06:00

From my understanding of ether, it is a gas that can be used as a means of anesthetic. However it has been brought to my attention that there are other meanings associated with ether.
In order to gain a better understanding of ether I will begin my research with the investigation of the meaning of the word.

Using the Oxford English Dictionary, the following are definitions that seemed the most interesting and appropriate for this studio.

ether also aether:
1a. the clear sky
2a. a medium of unusual qualities (as extreme tenuity, absolute continuity, and a high rigidity and elasticity) postulated in the undulatory theory of light as permeating all space and as transmitting transverse waves.

From these definitions I started to understand that the word ether exists in two different realms, the mystical and the scientific. I will not concern myself with the chemical aspect of the word ether, rather I will focus on the unattainable ether and it's unknown. To understand this aspect of ether I will need to further research it's epistemology as well as topics relating to it.

epistemology:

In Greek mythology (A)ether was a protogenos that personified the "upper air." He was the air the the god of heaven breathed.

related topics:

- ether drift:
a relative motion held to exist between a body and the medium of ether

- etheralize:
a. to refine, exalt, or spiritualize

- etherophone:
theremin

MIDI for dummies

2006-10-26T10:45:00.000-05:00

Here's some information I found on MIDI... and I know to be sceptical of information found on Wikipedia but this site seemed to make the most sense to me.

Arduino for dummies

2006-10-26T10:35:00.000-05:00

If you're anything like me, this information on Arduino maybe helpful.

Looking at WWII... yet again

2006-10-24T16:10:00.000-05:00

Every year I find myself researching World War II and its aftermath. I think my interest lies in the concept that American culture was radically altered as a result of the war. Life as it was known was flipped upside down and great efforts were made to make things "normal" again.

Some interesting information that came about from my research was the jargon of the US military. Here are common acronyms that were used during WWII that exemplify the state of confusion of the time.

SNAFU - Situation Normal: All Fucked Up.
SUSFU - Situation Unchanged: Still Fucked Up
FUMTU - Fucked Up More Than Usual.
FUBB - Fucked Up Beyond Belief.
FUBIO - Fuck You Buddy, I'm Out; or Forget You, Bub, It's Over (polite form)
TARFU - Things Are Really Fucked Up.
TOFU - Things Ordinary: Fucked Up.
GFU - General Fuck Up.
SAMFU - Self Adjusting Military Fuck Up.
BOHICA - Bend over, here it comes again.
TUIFU - The Ultimate In Fuck Ups.
FUBAR- Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition/Repair/Reason/Redemption.
FUGAZI - Fucked Up, Got Ambushed, Zipped In; Refers to out-of-control situation such as a chaotic jungle warfare combat environment
JANFU - Joint Army/Navy Fuck-Up; used by British troops in WWII.
JAAFU or JAAFFU - Joint Army-Air Force Fuck-Up; the use of JANFU combined with a radical increase in joint-forces operations since 1989, has led to the rare but increasing use of JAAFU/JAAFFU.
DILLIGAF/DILLIGAS - Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck/Shit? Interogative form of, "(It) don't mean nothing." Both often heard in Vietnam.
TINS - This Is No Shit! Often seen in veterans' forums.
MUBAR - Mash up beyond all recognition. Refers to being proper mash up.
SMUBAR - Semi mash up beyond all recognition. Not quite MUBAR but well on the way.
BOYC - Bitches, obey your commander! (Or "Balls on your chin")
YUCATAN - You're Under Certain Annihilation Throw A Nuke!
MMFD - Miles and Miles of Fucking Desert! British expression

Brain storming:

1. acronyms - saying without saying
2. state of urgency - again, based on survival

Thinking ahead

2006-10-24T15:51:00.000-05:00

Currently I'm researching the work of Richard Neutra. His work, which is a direct reaction to the post war era, has brought upon questions of how the ongoing war has affected or will affect architecture in contemporary times. How I can relate this idea to my current research is still vague however I think it has promise.

Brain storming:
1. Responsive architecture
- how to build for protection
- protection = survival... survival architecture
- armageddon, a world without technology (?anti-electronics)

2. Warning systems
- remote detection - but of what?

3. Spawning a new culture (1950s today)
- "electro-burbia"

Installation Ideas

2006-10-13T23:28:00.000-05:00

Here are a few ideas we had for the project in Montreal.

Proposed articulation by RPI students (Emily, Laura, Cory and Karen)

Darcy, Przemek and I wanted to work with this serpant like structure and add an interative aspect to it. To do so we propose that a series of capacitive contacts be attached to the floor as well as the extension pockets of the pneumatic wall system. The series of contacts on the floor will be activated when viewers walk over them, this will then trigger a relay that activates air pumps attached to the extension pockets. The result would be a system that reacts to the viewers within the space.

Darcy, Przemek and I also want to incorporate sound into the pneumatic system. To do so we propose that the microphone part of a "spy ear" (a tiny microphone that attach to headphones) be attached to the wall. The headphones will then be attached to the users and as the users pass through the space a certain amount of feed back noise will be created if they come too close to the wall.

Electronics for Artists - Chapter 9 (sensors)

2006-10-13T16:19:00.000-05:00

This is a break down about sensors:

A sensor is a type of switch that can activate something.

Sensor types:
1. Heat
2. Light
3. Sound
4. Position
5. Movement
6. Direction of movement
7. Speed of movement

Terms:
1. WIRED OR: sensors (with switch outputs) connect with a signal giving sensor that operates a switch.

2. Open switch: there is no connection to the ciruit until something is detected.

3. Closed switch: there is no connection until something is detected (the connection is interupted).

PIRs (passive infrared):

- they have a typical range of 6m
- they can sense a large area
- sensor can be altered to sense a smaller area if lens is painted (test with paper before painting because it is irreversable)

- type 1: used for turning on lights and can have timers. They can increase power outputs.
- type 2: used for burglar alarms and are versitile because they can be hooked up to anything.

Temperature:

- variable resistance types:

- non-precision thermistors (temperature sensitive resistors)
- positive temperature coefficient: resistance increases with temperature.
- negative temperature coeffient: resistance decreases with temperature.

Light:

1. Light dependant resistors: changes resistance with amount of light falling on it.
2. Photovoltaic cell: produces voltage according to light seen.

Infrared light beam:

have a range of approximately 10m

types:
1. pulse (turns of and off quickly).
2. light sensor that detects a break in the beam.

LEDs are the best because they increase intensity and they have a narrow angle (which is easier to control).

note: incandescent lamp and sunlight produce infrared light that can interfere

Sound:

types of frequency:
1. audible (range of 20Hz to 16KHz)
2. infrasound (lower frequency)
3. ultrasound (higher frequency)

- sound can travel through both air and materials

mic types:

1. air vibration mics (regular mics)
2. piezoelectric sensors (contact mics)

vibration :

- found in car alarm systems
- operate on a pulse system and turn on and off depending on frequency of vibration
- contact mics can be used as a vibration sensor

Proximity and touch:

types:
1. PIRs
2. Ultrasonic radar
3. Infrared
4. Capacitive

-Capacitive sensor:
- can detect a small or large area
- a cheap and easy to use
- can be made from metal material (as long as grounded)
-operate through a reed switch

better late than never

2006-10-13T12:58:00.000-05:00

I've been struggling to come up with a potential design concept with my devices for the past week. Because my knowledge with ciruits and electronics is so limited my biggest hurdle was figuring out what feasible connections could be made between the hair dryer, keyboard and camera. Last week however, I read up on sensors in Electronics for Artists and it allowed me to come up with possible designs.

This design incorporates the misting device and fan from the hair dryer as well as the circuit boards and speakers from the keyboard. I chose to eliminate the camera because it was fully manual and would prove difficult to integrate to the other objects.

Object of my Affection

2006-10-01T01:18:00.000-05:00

Lady Schick Consolette - Beauty Salon

 A portable hair dryer manufactured between 1940s and 1950s with a mist funtion and four heat settings, cool, warm, medium and hot.

What attracted me to the Consolette was not the object itself, it was that it was prime example of the mass manufacturing of consumer products during the post WWII era. However because my inital interest with the object was non-mechanical, I needed to research its history and perform a "vivisection" on the hair dryer in order to underdstand it as a machine. What I found was hair dryers are rather basic machines that consist of a motorized fan, heating coils and a point for air in/out take. During the vivisection of my hair dryer I learned mare about the construction of old hair dryers. In particular I learned first hand that old hair dryers used to be lined with asbestos to prevent the heating coils from melting the plastic casing. The vivisection of my machine also allowed to realized the potential this object has with reverse engineering. Although the technology is simple and dated, the air in/out take maybe effective as the motor for a pnuematic structure. I was also thinking the mist and multi-ranged heating setting of my machine may be able to trigger a humidity or temperature sensor.

Other obects of my affection:

Point and shoot camera

The vivsection of the point and shoot camera proved less interesting than the hair dryer. I noticed the camera, outside of the gears needed to wind the film or the button mechanism needed to take the picture, was just a lens and a compartment. The simplicity of this object was disappointing however the idea of such a simple object being able to capture images is interesting enough for me to pursue using it. I have yet to consider the potential for this machine however I can assume it would involve photographs.

Point and Shoot Vivisection

Keyboard

My last object is a childrens keyboard. Initially I did not want to work sound or music however after watching other students work on painos I began to grow an interst towards the contacts within those machines. My vivisection allowed me to see the abilities of contacts. Again, I'm not sure where I would like to take this preliminary research however I think it would be interesting to explore the potential with the contacts.

Keyboard Vivisection

Long time coming...

2006-09-27T23:50:00.000-05:00

Monster...

 Machine or...
Ninja   

    After nearly two weeks of working on my drawing machine, I've finally managed to create something that seems to satisfy a portion of the firgure 8.  Patrick's emphasis on drawing prompted me to sit down and really look at what I was trying to build.  Shortly after I began drawing potentional  parts and mechanisms of the machine, taking into account the simple geometries that were produced movement.  Consequently, playing with the geometry of the machine and its parts helped me figure out important factors like length of rods and placement of stationary points.  However, although the drawings proved more effective than my intitial trial and error method it did not completely solve of the machine.  It wasn't until I paired the information I gathered from my first experiments and the drawings that I began to gain headway.

Recap: Models, Past to Present

Experimenting with layering:

Incorporating a track system to keep rods at a 90˚

Relying solely on sliding mechanisms

Considering replacing one central pivoting system with a gear

Combine intial ideas of track and sliding systems to maintain 90˚

The final bass wood kit of parts.  Using dowels as pivoting points and soap to minimize friction

Plain Curves - Figuring things out part 3.

2006-09-19T01:08:00.000-05:00

Model No. 3: A re-evaluation of the materials being used was again needed. The push pin heads were too bulky and interfered with rotating pieces and each other. Instead small bent pieces of wire were used to fasten parts together. This new method works better in comparison to the push pins however does not make for a very secure connection. The varying depths of parts have also increased mobility however forms of the same problems recur. To remedy this I will play with "forks" and "U's" on the next model.

" Image of whole "machine":

Depth and securing mechanism:

Depth:

Plain Curves - Figuring things out part 2.

2006-09-19T00:46:00.000-05:00

Model No. 2:
The bulky qualities of my first model of cardboard, butterfly hinges and masking tape forced me to use more refined materials; Strathmore paper and pins. I was able to achieve more fluid motions with the second model however ran into a few of the same problems: 1. Inventing effective pivoting and sliding methods and keeping "rods" parallel or perpendicular. 2. Creating parts that were ridged enough for the stresses of the movement. 3. Understanding/figuring out how to layer parts, above or below each other in order to avoid "getting them stuck together.

" Playing with tracks and depth of dimension:

Varying depth of dimension and sliding system:

Plain Curves - Figuring things out

2006-09-19T00:11:00.000-05:00

Background - not mechanics...
Reading and understanding typical plans takes little to no effort, however trying to make sense of schematic drawings are much more difficult. I found I was able to derive more information from the complex, moderately mathematical description of the drawing than from the drawing itself. Peer to peer discussions were also very useful as common symbols as grounded points or fixed connections were foreign to me. Once a few basic elements were figured out I was able to start playing around with building a working model.

Model No.1
The first attempt at modeling was with corrugated cardboard, butterfly hinges and tape. Although crude, the first model allowed for a better understanding of the need for dimension within the machine.

Image of whole "machine":

Sliding and pivoting system:

Sliding system:

Fastening system: