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November 11, 2005
Reactive Tree
Title: Treective
Elevator Pitch: It would be interesting to create a space that reacts to certain inputs from the viewer. These inputs can be taken from the viewer without their notice (e.g. color of clothing, height, certain position in the room), or the inputs can be location specific (given by the viewer at a certain spot in the space). The idea is to give the viewer the experience of controlling, or having a reactive space. This unique space should be made up of different visual elements. Some real and physical, while some virtual (projections). Since I’ve been researching leaf and tree structures in the past few weeks for my dome as well as my labyrinth projects, I am drawn to recreate an organic space using these natural elements. Moreover, they are found abundantly and have a nice feel when used properly indoors. I think that the way leaves change their colors during the fall is stunningly beautiful. This project will allow people to affect the changing colors of our “living” trees. A few options off my head:
1. Trees throughout all ITP windows on the North side, partially projected and partially real. There will be a certain spot on the floor where a camera will take someone’s shirt color as input, and the projected trees will all change their shade accordingly.
2. One tree in a specific room. It will change colors according to a new person who enters the room. The color changes will be made solely with projections. (We can think of maybe projecting an image of the person, but blurred.
3. Use the ceiling space to create the tree. As if we’re under the tree.
What is the intent for your project? Creating a unique space which will react and change according to certain inputs from the viewers.
I am interested in building this semi-real semi-virtual space for several reasons. Coming from the theatre, it is very useful to create a certain “set” piece that can be used for several different needs. It would be interesting to create this difference with the change of projection image or angle. This is actually the main issue when designing the stage for a show – thinking how to use and reuse the set pieces because of limited space, and because of limited budget. It would also be great to work on adding something organic like a tree to the current ITP space which could possibly stay on the floor.
Keywords:
Reactive space,
Projection with unconventional screens,
Spacial Transformation,
Illusive space,
Inability to tell the real from the virtual.
Who is the audience for your project? Any viewer in the show or any ITP-er who wants to relax a bit with virtual nature before getting back to work on his/her computer.
Describe the starting point for someone experiencing your project? The tree will be seen from far away, so will seduce viewers to come close and to check it out. When reaching a certain point close by, the tree will start reacting according to the input received from the viewer. Once the viewer understands the logic, the back and forth input-output cycle will take place.
Resources for this project? Will need material to build the tree (wooden structure, paper mache or painted canvass). Actual branches. Semi-seethrough plexi glass for the leafs in order for them to hold onto the light from the projection. Two or more projectors. Minor software stuff - can be easily done in C / processing / MAX
Posted by Gilad Lotan at November 11, 2005 02:31 AM