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ART SHOW PREVIEW LINK:

CODE, FUNCTIONALITY, AND ELECTRONICS:

With a new Music Shield, soldered connections, and a whole new code, the code is working like it should! With the power adapter, all the touch sensors work like they should. Because my work hasn’t been set up yet, I haven’t been able to test it with the foil tape and long wire. However, I don’t see how setup would particularly mess up the code, unless wire length makes it loopy.

…I actually haven’t tested trying to hold two wires at once. Not sure how that happened! Honestly, I might need to make some instructions for that. Because I haven’t run any specific stop code, I assume either:

1. Both songs play at once
2. Glitch galore creates silence
3. Nothing changes!

Then again, I’ve tailored the work to be 1 player and 1 conductor, so I’m hoping this situation is avoided.

AESTHETIC:

Music stand is acquired, but chairs are still a bit on the unknown side. I have tape to keep the wires down when they run to each chair, though. I’ve also used the black binder I purchased to make a very low-tech “electronics jail” to place on the stand. The hope is that the speaker, breadboard, ultrasonic sensor, and Arduino will all fit. As long as the speaker isn’t too far off to one side… nothing will fall.

I’ve considered printing out a little “track list” so people know the names of each piece… but we’ll see about that. I kind of wanted the work to be run by intuition only- if you don’t get it, that’s just how it’d be. Then again, the experience might not be great if that happens.

Otherwise, I’m just waiting on art show! My progress forward will depend on that. Putting in signage will probably only happen in the case of a non-physical display, depending on what time I get back results. If I have enough time, I can go print some stuff out. I’ll have to do one more upload of code (just to fix the Full Orchestra coding and test the whole 2 sensor ordeal), but then I’d go into installation. Fun.

PROGRAMMING:

-Switch/case was not working well, so I switched back to if/else if. The ability to perform the statements seems at least somewhat intact, so they aren’t the issue.

-My current main problem is that while the if statements work, they aren’t returning music. All I’m getting right now is terrible static, and even when my example was properly working, my project code wasn’t. The examples decided to glitch out, so I don’t currently know if the issue is in my code or wiring. All I know is that the issue isn’t in mp3 or SD setup, but in the loop segment of my code.

-As far as I can tell, I was at least calling the music. However, the mp3 was not playing properly. On the bright side, it was responding to capacitive touch! My main focus right now is to get those audio files playing correctly.

ELECTRONICS:

-Some of the wire solders have come off as of 4/12/2021. I’ll have to re-solder them tomorrow, and see if this makes any difference on my programming.

-With the wires being off, I currently can’t tell if my speakers are glitching due to the wiring, or if it is because of programming. Once my wires are fixed, I’ll be able to tell.

-I am waiting for my code to actually work before I lengthen the wires out on my project. Trying to deal with one issue at  time.

FUNCTIONALITY:

-My location sensor isn’t working perfectly due to the aforementioned wire sensors, but my capacitive sensors are working! The reads were all functioning, and pressing them did return at a consistent pace.

-The input is working fully, as far as I can tell. The output is glitchy… but there is an output happening!

CONSTRUCTION AND AESTHETICS:

-We are working on the chair loaning, and I have a speaker and music stand ready for setup.

-I bought a black binder (standard for orchestras) to sit on the music stand and hold all my electronics. I painted some cardboard strips black so I can create a little internal box to properly contain my parts. I’m going to very simply attach them to the inside in a way where I can easily (but discretely) run my wires from it.

-A lot of my setup won’t actually come until I have my current issues fixed, so there’s not a lot of progress on that front.

SINGLE FIREWORKS SHOW:

This piece is meant to provide an isolated experience of the visuals of fireworks. The layout of the work imitates a relaxed, outdoor setting that helps to bring the viewer into a summery mindset. Built into a C-shape, the floor invites viewers to lie down and stare up at the “ceiling” above them. These two pieces are held together by a backdrop that catches eyes from further away.

In the “ceiling”, LEDs are programmed to flash and fade as if they were large artillery fireworks. These lights change color between “flashes” to simulate multiple shots. The LEDs are spaced out into multiple clusters that imitate the shape of a firework burst. By having multiple clusters, the program can run multiple blasts as a sort of “finale”.

This programming is initiated by the viewer lying down onto the viewing floor, and is reset when they leave their watching position. The size of the ‘booth’ is large enough to accommodate a single adult. Ideally, only one person at a time is allowed to experience the show- it creates the spectacle of a fireworks event while eliminating the large crowds.

HUMAN FLOOD:

Based on models of predicted demographic changes from sea level rise, this piece uses the anthropogenic aspect of climate change to demonstrate the impact of sea level rise on low-level cities. Facing a wall, a projector displays a graphic of a house that is 5 meters above sea level. To the side of the projection, 6 LED lights sit- initially turned off.

For every person that walks close enough to the piece, an LED light turns on. In turn, the graphic being projected changes- divided into six sections, 1 section of the image is completely covered by waves. This is meant to represent a single meter rise in sea level. As more people come close, more sections are added. Once every single LED light has been triggered, the entire display- and the entire house- will be completely underwater.

The ‘worst-case’ scenario of 6 meters projects the city of Miami to be taken below sea level. While this scenario would be well off into the distance, a lack of human action towards climate only propels this prediction closer to the future. Just as human action would help stave off sea level rise, the viewer walking away reverses the water they added to the projection.

CONDUCTOR AND ORCHESTRA:

In order to have a functioning orchestra, the members of each section must listen to each other and their conductor. Without cooperation, the music would not blossom to its full potential. This piece reflects the necessity of these bonds to creating string orchestra music.

Spaced out in a wide circle, the piece is divided into two halves of sorts- the conductor’s stand and the orchestra sections. Each separate section and the stand of the conductor are equipped with certain sensors, far enough from one another that they don’t trigger each other. In order for a set of speakers to play the orchestral music, at least 2 sensors must be triggered- the conductor’s sensor and one of the sections.

Without the conductor, the instrument sensors will not trigger music. Without the instrument, the conductor’s stand won’t start the music. The piece requires for these two roles to be filled by a presence in order for its sound to play. The necessity of both halves being turned ‘on’ reflects how interconnected these two aspects of a string orchestra are.

NARCISSUS:

In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a man so infatuated with himself that he sat and stared at his own reflection 24/7. He sat at a pond for years on end, even at his death. While pure narcissism does not exist in that quality, this piece is meant to try and replicate the alluring effects felt by Narcissus by equipping his landscape.

The main attraction of this work is the pond basin. Surrounded by flora and florals, the basin is decorated to be as visually pleasing as possible. Once a viewer is drawn towards the pond, they are able to imitate the actions of Narcissus and view themselves through a mirror in the basin. However, what keeps them at the basin is not necessarily their infatuation.

On the opposite side of the mirror, mist sprayers cycle fresh water while a motor device of sorts keeps the water fresh and moving. LED lights subtly installed in the side create soft light changes that make the water feel otherworldly. Soft music playing helps to relax the viewer. The subtle influencing tactics of electronics are meant  to create and artificial desire to continue looking at the exhibition.