Looking Out : Maya

Tele-Present Water

By David Bowen

This installation replicates the movement of water in a remote location. It uses wave data collected in real time to simulate the movement of the water by controlling the joints of a grid structure suspended in air. The installation uses MAX/MSP to drive an Arduino mega.

I think the installation creates a very surreal experience. The idea of teleporting the movement of the ocean is very interesting; we're teleporting a motion, which is very abstract. The mapping out of this organic and natural motion on a large metallic, mechanical structure beautifully reinforces the process of projecting from one medium to another.

http://www.creativeapplications.net/maxmsp/tele-present-water-maxmsp-arduino/

My Little Piece of Privacy 

By Niklas Roy

My little piece of Privacy is an interactive installation consisting of a robotic curtain that moves left and right to cover a large window whenever passerby's cross by. The project uses Processing for the computer vision and analysis, and a DC gear motor controlled by an Atmega for the mechanics.

I like the project because it embeds technology into a simple everyday use case. It’s interesting to see how adding a simple notion of interactivity to the curtain - reacting to the observer through motion - can really bring it alive. It makes me want to explore adding some interactivity to other ordinary objects and exploring how to give them their own character or personality. I also love the fact that the project engages with a public space such as pedestrians on a street.