Heather Rasley @ ITP

A more official and comprehensive description of our project, as described in the ITP Spring Show database (crossing fingers we’ll make it — steep competition this semester)…

Description
Cabinet 486 is an exploration of a make-believe alternate reality in which man has pushed the boundaries of nature to the extreme, overpowering the very fabric of time and space through science and research. But its aim isn’t purely political. In large part, this is a curatorial exercise in conveying another time and place in a way that appeals to all five sense. Included in this project are interactive “sound jars” that contain audio documentation of fictional otherworld experiments, sculptural representations of these experiments.

Keywords
art, performance, audio, sound, physical computing

Background
This project was inspired by “Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder” (a book about the Museum of Jurassic Technology), a presentation made by a member of the Institute of Applied Autonomy regarding his upcoming work exploring genetic engineering, the photography of Robert Parkeharrison, and the work of Mack B Gallery co-director Tobey Albright.

Audience
Anyone fascinated by mythology, genetics, alternate realities, and the stranger-than-fiction reality of our current world. Anyone at all, really. Young and old.

User Scenario
The user approaches the cabinet, marvels and ponders the objects therein, plays with and listens to the interactive sound objects, and, if interested, puts on headphones to listen to the audio for the video projected nearby.

Implementation
A large cabinet filled with objects that all cohere to the aesthetic of an alternate reality. These objects will describe and document experiments that genetically alter creatures and plants to create weapons for government use. Taxidermy, vintage photographs and jars that contain interactive sound elements are included in this collection of oddities.

The Cabinet 486 video is now in post-prod and should be done later today. In the meantime, here’s the first iteration of our logo, which was inspired by the emblem of the Bohemian Club. Click for a special treat.

I am collaborating with Mike Rosenthal on a project dubbed Cabinet 486. It is for both Designing for Constraints and Interactivity for All, as well as Mike’s fabrication class.

This project has a number of elements. One is a recorded performance, filmed by Mike and scripted and performed by me. This performance will play in a loop alongside our installation, with earphones for discrete, optional listening. Another element is a cabinet that Mike will fabricate using 2d-to-3d stacked laser cutting techniques. This will house a collection of objects that I am curating, with Mike’s assistance. The final element is a series of interactive audio units, which Mike and I will work together to create. These will contain MP3s of original compositions, which we also be a joint venture.

My ambiguity in describing this project is purposeful, as I’d like to keep much of the content a bit of a “surprise” — at least to the blogosphere.

The overall goal from the perspective of my classes is to constrain this work aesthetically to a specific vision of an alternate reality, as well as to create objects that are a pleasure to behold and interact with. If both confusion and curiosity are evoked by the final project, I will be satisfied.

Here is our current timeline:

• Week 10: Continue to gather objects [done!], order circuit-building materials from Sparkfun [done!], film video [this Fri]
• Week 11: Screen video and present first audio unit prototype to class(es). Order materials as needed for more units.
• Week 12: Continue prototyping and user testing on audio units. Assemble cabinet and organize objects within.
• Week 13: Finishing touches.

PIXEL MARATHON GAME CONTROLLER

1) What are the three big problems that you expect to have during the production? How will they affect your timeline schedule? How do you intend on solving them up-front? Communication difficulties / time zone issues. Already held back a week or so. Solution at this point may be to pursue it outside of class…

2) Which hardware does your project require? Do you have it all at hand? If not, complete an order of the equipment by next class.
On hold. Can’t get a feel for the parts I need until I have the game in hand.

3) Provide a timeline of milestones to be acomplish each week, on these dates:

April 1: :-/
April 15: Game working and installed on my comp
April 29: Parts ordered

CABINET 486

1) What are the three big problems that you expect to have during the production? How will they affect your timeline schedule? How do you intend on solving them up-front? I think right now our only problem is solidifying our vision and forming a narrative framework for it. We also have a lot of materials to order that can only be purchased through Ebay, which is always sort of a challenge. Only solution is to keep on trucking. Think we’re doing well so far.

2) Which hardware does your project require? Do you have it all at hand? If not, complete an order of the equipment by next class.
Mike is largely in charge of ordering the circuit stuff. Aside from that, the other parts are rare items like skulls and eggs and old photos and books. A lot of that is on its way.

3) Provide a timeline of milestones to be acomplish each week, on these dates:

April 1 : Materials purchased. Narrative close to solidified. Display sketch drawn up.
April 15: Start crafting taxidermy, future “product” objects and sound jars + solidify narrative framework
April 29: Prototype 1