blug

This is part of an installation i ahve been working on for a few years... Called 'The House is Past'. The main concept, in very short terms, is the balance that the exile constantly struggles to achieve between his/her socio-cultural roots and the newer context; a constant battle between the melancholic remembrance of “home” and the necessity to assimilate and transform habits and customs, dictated directly by the new environment surrounding the expatriate. It’s truthfully a mission to reach a working compromise, between these two coexisting identities.

and in this installation part of the balance is represented by the use of both Analog and Digital formats.

Inside the second room of this piece (which is what i am focusing on right now), a dim flickering light will be hanging from the ceiling over an old ‘50s style chair. A vinyl record player will play the soundscape I have written and that I have been working on together with artist friend Gadi Sassoon from Milan. The soundpiece major purpose is in fact to guide a ‘blindfolded’ visitor through a space delineated and mapped through the use of haunting sounds, such as white noise and the voice of appliances as well as church bells, typing and water drops. Sounds and smells are probably the strongest memory triggers available and allow the viewers to bring into this spaces their personal baggage and memories.

So I now bought a Light dimming kit and a D/A converter chip... Let's get this party started!!!!

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 05:38 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

In brief:

This soundscape wants to be a sentimental manifestation of longing and disorientation. I here combined iconic samples of stereotypical Italian daily-life with a “synthetically” recreated silence. Silence in fact is an extremely recurring element inside the typical exile’s experience, with its oppressive as well as comforting. The space that the sounds map out is an unattended furnished Italian apartment. In 1957, the first carousel of Italian commercials -Il Carosello- appeared on TV with a haunting jingle that became the sonic point of reference for entire generations. This piece in part intends to give a voice to all those appliances and electronics that inhabit a space even when there is no human interaction involved.

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 05:52 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Here is the Midi-Last lab... didnt quite work out but i think i know why. So i'll try again.

I feel really overwhelmed and behind... i just got the Arduino Mini and really wish i had the time to go over all the labs with the new board, but there in NO TIME.... frustrating...

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 03:41 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to Gary, we were given these awesome (and free) boards with LCD screens. This is the assembly and my first real CODE!

The PIC i had originally ordered is not programmable with the PIC Programmer we have. It was a 16F688, so i had to find other options...

And here's the LCD! With headers so that i can use for other projects...

And here's the code:

'****************************************************************
'* Name : LCD *
'* Author : benny *
'* Notice : Copyright (c) 2006 benny *
'* : All Rights Reserved *
'* Date : 10/6/2006 *
'* Version : 1.1 *
'* Notes : *
'* : *
'****************************************************************

DEFINE LCD_DREG PORTC
DEFINE LCD_DBIT 4
DEFINE LCD_RSREG PORTA
DEFINE LCD_RSBIT 1
DEFINE LCD_EREG PORTA
DEFINE LCD_BITS 4
DEFINE LCD_LINES 2
DEFINE LCD_COMMANDUS 2000
DEFINE LCD_DATAUS 50

LEDpin VAR PORTA.2

GOSUB blinkie

main:
LCDOUT $FE,1, "HELLO"
LCDOUT $FE,$C0, "FUCKERS"
goto main

blinkie:
b var byte
For b = 0 to 3
HIGH LEDpin
pause 250
Low LEDpin
pause 250
next b
RETURN

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 03:44 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

James and I teamed up for our ICM final (the concept of pair-programming really rubbed on) and decided that we were both interested in creating an interactive experience that dealt with propaganda. What aspect or kind of propaganda has not yet been decided, but we ideally would like to have some examples of all different kinds: political, commercial, informative, religious or psychological.

The ideal interaction would take place in some type of booth where the user faces a tv screen; whether a modern flat screen or a tv with more personality like an old tube. There will be buttons as main interface tool, since we felt that in the case of propaganda, it would be the most obvious and intuitive choice: when you vote, you press a button, when you watch tv, you press buttons on a remote control, when you select a product out of a vending machine, you press big lit buttons and the list goes on.

The buttons will have some kind of indication of the topic/product/idea. When pressed, the viewer will be bombarded with a combination of images from videos, adds, commercials and other medias related to the button.

At the end of this experience we want the user to walk out with something physical, like a memento, a souvenir, a product of this process. He/she will be asked to select a product to receive outside of the booth. In the next cubicle, infact, James and i will be at busy at work, as in both an assembly line and also as the detached-from-society masterminds behind most propaganda you the user has just viewed/hear. The space needs to be eclosed so that he/she cannot interact with us directly, but only thru the machine, the view will limited to only parts of our bodies in order to not being able to identify us. We will be manifacturing or packaging your product and will promptly hand it to you or place it on a conveier belt/ramp, very much like the mouth of a vending machine, that will deliver it straight to you. Maybe miniture objects. Maybe logos.

The first resource material, mostly because driven by curiosity, was a collection of cheaply reproduced commercials between the 1950's and 70's.

And Mr.Clean looked as great then, as he does now!

The use of cartoons characters was particularly interesting.

The Chevrolet commercial portrayed the stereotypical American happy rich couple, which sets the model for all kinds of future commercials.

And Lava sopa was as strong as it is now!

Hairspray with conditioner!

And of course, we had to include Coke.

Another important resource was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 03:55 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

THE P-COMP LAB CLOCK

It was about time someone thought about putting a clock in the P comp lab...
here's the description of the project:

November 1, 2006
Robert Faludi
Leif Mangelsen
Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Our project is a clock for the physical computing lab that can be read from a distance. The clock will display the hour, minute and seconds, along with the day, month and year, if practical. This clock will run on a DS1307 real-time clock chip that can retain the time of day even when the rest of the project is powered off.
The time will be displayed on a 28 x 40 dot matrix LED display sized about 12" by 9". Every four 5x7 LED displays will be driven by a MAX6953 driver chip, which in turn will be controlled by a PIC18F2520. Animations will be loaded on a SD Card or from a computer.
We would like to intersperse the time of day display with dynamic animations. If there's time we'd also like to describe a protocol by which others could upload their own animations to the display.
The clock will contain a unique time-sharing feature. It will broadcast a time signal to the entire ITP floor, using an inexpensive ZigBee radio. The time of day will be available to any project that uses ZigBee. For example any project that needs to behave differently during the night can know when evening comes. Projects that need to perform actions on an hourly basis will be able to take advantage of the time signal to stay on schedule. Any project needing synchronized actions between disconnected objects could use time of day to link actions together. None of these objects would need to be continuously powered on, or need local code or real time clock. All that would be required is a ZigBee radio attached to its serial port, something that many projects already include this semester.

Inspired by the Sparkfun Huge Seven Segment clock.

Here is the basic module for Seven Segment LEDs:

A closer view:

A detail:

This is the LED matrixes that we are using as digits:

A better look:

And here's the Zigbee clock with exact time:

And some fun video:

Download file

Here's some unpolished piece of code for the MAXIM 719'
' This Program demonstrates the basic functions of the MAX7219
'
Include "Modedefs.bas"

' ** Set Xtal Value in Mhz **
Define OSC 4 ' Set Xtal Frequency

i VAR byte 'for loop counter

' ** Declare Pins Used **
Clk Var PortC.4 ' Data is clocked on rising edge of this pin
Din Var PortC.3 ' Bits are shifted out of this pin
Load Var PortC.2 ' Transfers data to LEDs when Pulsed

' ** Declare Constants **
Decode_Reg Con 9 ' Decode register, a 1 turns on BCD decoding for each digit.
Lum_Reg Con 10 ' Intensity register.
Scan_Reg Con 11 ' Scan-limit register.
Switch_Reg Con 12 ' On/Off Register.
Test_Reg Con 15 ' Test mode register (all digits on, 100% bright)

' Max_Digit Con 5 ' Amount of LED Displays being used.

' ** Declare Variables **
Counter Var Word ' Variable used for the Counting routine
Max_Disp Var Word ' 16 bit value to be displayed by the MAX7219
Register Var Byte ' Pointer to the Internal Registers of the MAX7219
Value Var Byte ' Data placed in Each Register
Digit Var Byte ' Position of individual numbers within MAX_Disp (0-3)
Position Var Byte ' Position of each LED display (1-4)

LEDpin VAR PORTB.7
b var byte
GOSUB blinkie 'blink led

' ** Initialize the MAX7219 **
' Each register address is sent along with its setting data,
' because the MAX7219 expects to see a packet of 16 bits, then the LOAD pin is pulsed
' First set the scan limit to 3 (4 digits, numbered 0-3)
' then set the Brightness to 5
' BCD decoding to all digits (just in case more displays are added later)
' Turn Off test mode
' Switch the display on.

Register=Scan_Reg ' Point to the Scan Register
Value=2 ' send 3, (Four LED Displays 0-3) lk sent a 2 10-30-06
Gosub Transfer ' Transfer this 16-bit Word to the MAX7219

Register=Lum_Reg ' Point to the Luminance Register
Value=3 ' Send 5, (Value for Brightness)
Gosub Transfer ' Transfer this 16-bit Word to the MAX7219

Register=Decode_Reg ' Point to BCD Decode Register
Value=%11111111 ' Decode all the digits (just in case more are added later)
Gosub Transfer ' Transfer this 16-bit Word to the MAX7219

Register=Test_Reg ' Point to the Test Register
Value=0 ' Reset to Zero, (turns off Test mode)
Gosub Transfer ' Transfer this 16-bit Word to the MAX7219

Register=Switch_Reg ' Point to the Switch Register
Value=1 ' Set to One, (switches the display ON)
Gosub Transfer ' Transfer this 16-bit Word to the MAX7219

' ***** MAIN PROGRAM *****
' This loop, increments, and then decrements a 16-bit number held in "COUNTER"
' And displays it on Four led Displays
' The value to be displayed is placed in the variable "MAX_DISP"
counter = 0
main:
'For Counter=1 to 999 ' Increment Counter
' Max_Disp=Counter ' Load Max_Disp with Value of Counter
' Gosub Display ' Display the Value of Counter
' Pause 50 ' Delay, so we can see whats happening
'Next ' Close the Loop

'For Counter=999 to 1 step -1 ' Decrement Counter
' Max_Disp=Counter ' Load Max_Disp with Value of Counter
' Gosub Display ' Display the Value of Counter
' Pause 50 ' Delay, so we can see whats happening
'Next ' Close the Loop
Counter = counter + 1
if Counter > 999 then
Counter = 0
ENDif

for i = 1 to 3
Value = Counter DiG (i-1)
Register = i
'Value = i
goSUB transfer
pause 50

next i

Goto main ' Do it Indefinately

' ** Subroutines **
' Display the Value held in the Variable "Max_Disp" on the four LED's
' With zero supression

Display:
Digit=0 ' Start at Digit 0 of Max_Disp Variable
For Position=2 to 0 step -1 ' Start at Farthest Right led Display
Register=Position ' Place the Position into Register
Value=Max_Disp Dig Digit ' Extract the individual numbers from Max_Disp
If Max_Disp<10 and Position=2 then Value=15 ' Zero Suppression for the second digit
If Max_Disp<100 and Position=1 then Value=15 ' Zero Suppression for the Third digit
If Max_Disp<1000 and Position=0 then Value=15 ' Zero Suppression for the Forth digit
If Max_Disp<10000 and Position=4 then Value=15 ' Zero Suppression for the Fifth digit
Gosub Transfer ' Transfer the 16-bit Word to the MAX7219
'If Digit>=2 then Digit=0 ' We only need the first four digits
Digit=Digit+1 ' Point to next Digit within Max_Disp
Next Position ' Close the Loop
Return ' Exit from subroutine

' Send a 16-bit word to the MAX7219 and then pulse the Load pin
Transfer:
Shiftout Din,Clk,msbfirst,[Register,Value] ' Shift Out the Register first, then the data
High Load ' The data is now acted upon
@ Nop
@ Nop ' A small delay to ensure correct clocking times
Low Load ' Disable the MAX7219
Return ' Exit from Subroutine

blinkie:
For b = 0 to 3
HIGH LEDpin
pause 250
Low LEDpin
pause 250
next b
RETURN

And here's the link to The Zigbee code for the Clock:

http://itp.nyu.edu/~raf275/blog/archives/2006/10/zigbee_clock.html

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 06:53 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So we weren't completely done with the Ravezooka idea and decided it needed expansion and improvements:

1. Better built case:

----better trigger switch
----better wiring inside
----more appropriate aesthetic (leather, metal studs etc.)

2. Better user controlled interaction:

----better switch
----Ultrasonic worked great
----Tilt sensor implemented
----better sound effects in Max MSP so that the slider or tilt will cause change

3. Possible Wireless option:

----Zigbee or Bluetooth is a good option id timing is on our side

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 07:17 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

So, i finished assembling the light dimming kit and am waiting for the AD558 chip to interface the dimmer to the Arduino, or better to a ATMEL 16 chip. But here is the code that Tom helped me with for the chip:

/*
DAC pins: digital I/O 6 - 13
*/

void setup() {
//set pins as outputs:
for (int i = 6; i < 14; i++) {
pinMode(i, OUTPUT);
}
}

void loop() {
// fade from 0 to 255:
for (byte i = 0; i < 256; i++) {
setDAC(i);
delay(10);
}
}

void setDAC(byte DAClevel) {
byte thisValue = 0;
for (int i = 6; i < 14; i++) {
// read the appropriate bit from DAClevel:
if ( DAClevel & (1< thisValue= 1;
//will have to figure out a randomizer formula for the flickering effect
}
else {
thisValue= 0;
}
// turn on or off the pin based on the value of the bit:
digitalWrite(i, thisValue);
}
}

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 04:26 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I managed to wire it up...

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 05:33 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I have been investigating the trigger switch we used for the Ravezooka. Looking for gun like switches Home depot gave some good ideas:

I also found a good link on line:

http://www.ultimatewasher.com/pressure-washer-trigger-guns.htm

and i found plyers and tools with similar handles, and being metal they make the easiest trggers to wire up.

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 02:48 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

After assembling the light dimmer kit, i wired the Arduino chip on a breadboard and added the AD558 chip to it.

Here is a detail photo of it:

the light socket and 40W bulb:

and the overview with the light socket:

I am making progress and i love it!

And now it's wired and working! Anyone can help me with some random number generation?

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 02:55 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

For the ravamped Ravezooka this is the material checklist:

-%- Cardboard and PCV piping
-- Cups for the ends (from HOMEDEPOT)
-%- Gun-like triggers
-- Or we can use other tools to creat a gun-like switch
-%- Strap (we can use the one we have)
-%- Distance Sensor (we have a wide variety)
-- Tilt Switch
-- Slide?

Gun Triggers Ordered:

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 04:24 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The Ravezooka has started its renovation process. From the inside we decided to add an LED, so that when the trigger is pressed the laser beam will point at the desired target. We implemented a IR sensor as a slider effect and we changed the protocol to Serial to MIDI, which makes a lot more sense.

Outside:

Inside:

Inside Electronics:

New Sensor set-up:

The New Max Patch:

Using MIDI as protocol seemed to be the smartest choice. The MIDI command comes in on 2 channels, Channel 1 is linked to the Ultrasonic range sensor while channel 2 represents the data collected from the IR Proximity sensor. The MIDI data coming in on Channel 1 is then split into 3 ranges subject to different arithmetic operators that manipulate the pitch of the MIDI notes. We also employed table lookup oscillators and function generators to output the commands as different formats of audio waves. We also used signal ramps or envelopes to change the frequency of the MIDI signal. Channel 2 is primarily used as an effect, right now taking advantage of square waves but we will soon find the combinarion that suits our needs best.

Check out more of Lesley's awesome work on the Ravezooka:
http://www.seseyann.com/ravezooka/ravezooka.html

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 12:09 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

CHOICE CONTROL

Propaganda Machine

The machine represents political, commercial, informative, religious and psychological propaganda with a vending machine asthetic and slot machine reward system. The interaction takes place in a booth where the user faces a screen, on both sides a set of hands are hard at work producing the users future product. There are two buttons for the main interface tool. By pressing either one of two large lit buttons you promt a series of questions followed by flashing propagandistic images leading to the result in Reward or Try Again. At the end of this experience the user will walk away with something physical, like a memento, a souvenir, a product of this process.

The applet for a beginning test is also on-line. First you click the mouse on the image to start it and then by pressing any keyboard key you'll receive a random question.

http://itp.nyu.edu/~bp432/icm/icm_final/Icons_test_applet/

A better more random applet is at this link:

http://itp.nyu.edu/~jcd318/icm/final/index.html

Here's a quote from Marshall McLuhan:

"The environment as a processor of information is propaganda. Propaganda ends where dialogue begins. You must talk to the media, not to the programmer. To talk to the programmer is like complaining to a hot dog vendor at a ballpark about how badly your favorite team is playing".

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 02:20 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Here was an aesthetics i am going for. In a restaurant in the East Village. Their lights were flickering also. Not on purpose though!

And here are the pictures of the casing. A nice appropriate cigar box.

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 11:49 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Saturday, 3:25 P.M.

[Track 1] I board the bus excited to embrace the unknown, I have been to a few places this bus travels through but some areas are definitely going to be new to me. There isn’t much unexpected about the fact that I needed to take the M5 bus. I sit towards the back and I am alone. Finally, I can add. I decided previously to this trip that, since Steven Levy was soon to come and speak, I would set my I-Pod on shuffle mode and see what thoughts would arise with any given song. I imagined the music would set a particular mood and change my experience on the bus, much like it changes my subway ride between school and home every single day. For the purpose of this trip I am experimenting with a new meditation exercise. I will in fact acknowledge the memories, the stories, the thoughts that will arise because of the music, and I will then drop them to focus on the new environment around me. On the present, on the NOW. I will embrace the space and breath in the images of this city I live in and so often ignore. I press play, although I know I will disagree with my device’s taste since I usually end up selecting my own play-list. As the bus starts moving, I witness a fight, in the middle of the street, between a yellow-cab and a violently angry driver. I see a slap, a punch in the face and a whole lot of traffic. There is a lot of construction on Sixth Avenue, for some reason I am not surprised. I look out of the window and absorb the view: Mac Donald’s, tattoo shops I would never expose my skin to, “Post No Bills” signs, and the sign for a Psychic Advisor. And that’s when I realize that I had ‘accidentally’ taken that bus before with my mother, during one of her frequent stays in NYC. [Track 2] I look out some more and remember that my mother and I were walking back from SoHo and were trying to hail a cab back to the hotel she was staying at, always the same, always in the same area of Manhattan. It was raining that day. It’s a beautiful day today. And it suddenly hits me that the music isn’t inspiring too many thoughts, but rather is New York City itself that is guiding me through a review of my past years in the city, leading me on a very unexpected journey down memory-lane. I drop the thought and look up, at the penthouses, at the highest floors, just something I like to do, and it reminds me of a scene from one of my favorite Italian movies Caro Diario (Dear Diary), by Nanni Moretti. The windows of the Village are little, narrow, European looking just like the short brick buildings themselves. The curtains are often parted to the side. [Track 3] At the corner of West 12th St and Sixth Avenue, I can’t help thinking about my old office, 24 W. 12th St, and my 4-month-long NYU work experience as Assistant Director. The Food Emporium across the street reminds me of one of my last events to plan: a round-table and dinner with the most influential Italian actors and directors. The caterer/friend Pino and I had to go do some emergency-grocery-shopping before the big event. [Track 4] There are definitely windows that don’t ever see the sun. There are living rooms with no natural lighting. Hidden, buried behind other more recent and taller buildings. And I can’t stop noticing some rigid and fascist looking architectural structures in this part of town. Past 20th St and 6th Ave, I remember the meditation center I used to attend to. The Shambhala Center. A nice western approach to Tibetan Buddhism and meditation practice, but a little too promiscuous and not authentic enough for my taste. I took many courses there, but people’s interests for being part of the Sangha (community) went well beyond meditation, praying and social activism. [Track 05] Consciously coming back to the present moment, I see the Avalon, where I have never been. I really never felt the need to. Close by there’s the Olive Garden, needless to say the least Italian restaurant in America and possibly in the World. My second time in the City, my friend Francesca and I wanted to try the Olive Garden cuisine and were almost kicked out for making beautiful sculptures out of food: it was better construction material than edible delicacy. We move a few blocks and there it is, Tekserve, on 23rd St. The store where the 4’9’’ dark-hair woman who stole my wallet from my desk at work, maxed out all of my credit cards. She bought more than 5 different types of I-Pods. The manager later confessed: “I have seen her before. She has done it in the past”. That surely was a fun and exciting day! [Track 06] I take one long breath. A very interesting man, with round glasses, sits across from me. We drive through the fashion district and I think about a few memories I cherish, linked to this area. I was looking for lace for my wedding dress once and a talented Cuban seamstress completed it for me: a simple white strapless tunic with a long, mandarin neck, lace coat. It was beautiful, and unbelievably affordable. A couple of fittings away and I was off to Greece. Many more times I ended up in the theatre district. My mother likes musicals since they constitute a good balance between music and words, and although she doesn’t speak English proficiently, she can still understand what’s going on, on stage. [Track 07] We pass by Macy’s. Every time I see it I think about how incredibly big it is. John and I have gone shopping together a couple of times, but I hate shopping in crowded places and he has no patience: not the perfect cocktail during holiday season. Across the street I see Victoria’s Secret and I’ve recently heard that they are importing some very popular Italian lingerie. It might be finally the time I find some underwear my size in the store; I have shopped at that specific location a few times. Their S is definitely equivalent to a European M. [Track 08] Big billboards obstruct the view. On the bus there is a very mixed crowd now, much different than before. I pass some store specialized in buttons and it takes me back to when I was 6 years old; I really liked going to one specific button store in the middle of my town. I loved them, with all their cuts, shapes and colors. They looked like candies. [Track 09] Bryant Park reminds me of my first summer in NYC. I was taking classes at NYU to complete some credits for my college in Boston and I enrolled in a class that explored the roots and history of most of New York City’s neighborhoods and boroughs. I remember a lot of readings around the beautification of this specific Park and it surely does look good. I see the building that houses HBO and I think about how they are showing a special on the ‘Tsunami Aftermath’ on Dec 8th, I really want to see it. Only problem is that I can’t afford the channel. The International Center of Photography brings me back to when I was about to graduate during the spring 2004, and came to see a few photo exhibits my teachers and friends participated in. Rockefeller Center. My mother enjoys coming here in the winter to watch the brave skaters; I remember one time we were arguing and to bring a smile to her face I wrote her an apologetic card and drew the two of us as little skaters at Rockefeller Plaza, dressed with scarves and little mittens. John and I came one afternoon to the NBC studios for the taping of our favorite show, Conan O’Brien’s. [Track 10] The M5 passes Radio City Hall and it makes me think of Christmas. For some reason I never liked Christmas and I still don’t. I love my family but everybody seems to get along better in the spring or in the summer time. I notice a gigantic modern Venus that reminds me of my love for ancient Greek and Roman art. Kate’s Paperie is a good store to get lost in. I went to this specific branch looking for brown ribbon to hold my wedding invitations together and it’s probably about time I return to buy some overdue thank-you notes. [Track 11] I approach Central Park, arena of a few arguments between John and I. For example the time I escaped to the Park trying to find some peace and quiet, but he came looking for me and almost found me. I wandered through the Zoo, angry and excited at the same time. Or the time we went sunbathing on the Great Lawn and we got into a stupid disagreement and then fell asleep. I left a note for him and walked away. That night we had a nice dinner out. [Track 12] At the Strand bookstand outside the Park’s entrance, my mother bought me “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer. Now one of my ultimate all-time favorites. Even more recently, my aunt, my cousin and I took a walk minutes before my niece was born at Mount Sinai Hospital. My first American-born relative whom I will temporarily get to spoil, hold and play with. The memories tied to Central Park don’t stop coming: the dinner party at the Baroness’s house, the piña coladas in a styrofoam cup, the boat ride with my friend James and the romantic excursion with that French guy on Sunday afternoon. [Track 13] We pass in front of Lincoln Center. Just a few of nights ago John and I went to see the Madame Butterfly. John’s first opera exposure and my first time at the Met. Madame Butterfly is my favorite opera. I loved the set design and the lighting: very modern, very clever, very decorative yet of great taste and simplicity. Parma has one of the most active opera programs and one of the prettiest opera houses, the Teatro Regio, in Italy. I have definitely developed a taste and nostalgic fondness for this music over the years. John found the woman overly acting and therefore a little annoying. I will have to agree and also add that the orchestra’s volume was too high and overpowering. Someone even boo-ed. Regardless, it was an interesting and different night out. We looked pretty and were happy to spend a night out alone. [Track 14] There is a moment of silence in my head. The memories seem to have ended. I just notice that Tower Records is going out of business. At 79th St and 6th Ave the buildings are beautiful and monumental. The ornamental frames around the windows are absolutely gorgeous. [Track 15] An older woman in a wheelchair is lifted on the bus. It takes a few minutes and I observe the use of the technology doing something it needs to do more often: help people live better. [Track 16] I have never been on Riverside Drive; it’s a long almost suburban looking avenue. For one minute I feel like I could be anywhere else. There’re trees and water on my left and tall buildings and wide streets on my right. I observe and appreciate the unknown, while building memories as I write. [Track 17] A couple of nice men comes onto the bus and sits directly across from me. They are wearing matching shoes and matching shiny wedding bands on their ring fingers. They look rested and comfortable, while only now I am starting to feel a bit tired of the bumpy ride and a little claustrophobic. I give up my seat for a little girl dressed in bright pink. I face the river and look out the window for a while. I can’t say much other than that there are some really nice homes here. “Newly seeded. Keep off”. It’s starting to get dark. [Track 18] This song by Jovanotti speaks volume to my memory. It’s part of a play-list my best friend Vittorio put together for my wedding selection and it talks about people who never go to sleep before morning. It’s the schedule I have always been on and it’s the schedule I fight with everyday, but after all these years it honestly seems the most natural way of life for me. We work better at night. At 100th St I remember the guided tour of Harlem I took for my class. I remember the wonderful buildings, the intense atmosphere that only a place with this much history emanates; the Greyhound bus usually drove through this part of the city. [Track 19] This song was one of John’s downloads, I can recognize his taste. I think about him and my heart fills with joy. I do pray that our commitment may last, but for now I am living a moment of bliss and it’s a very happy ‘coincidence’ to hold actual documentation of it. Recorded proof of the ephemeral delightful feeling that sat next to me on this bus ride and then left. And of course I get a headache, probably from the lack of fresh air in over an hour and half. Which reminds me of why I don’t usually take the bus. The older man next to me is intoxicating me with his horrible breath but by his body language I gather that his stop must be approaching. Can’t wait to say goodbye and part from him. [Track 20] I see big Greek columns and I’m now getting very confused. It’s dark and hazy, almost foggy. I see swings and apartment buildings I can finally peak into and I’m officially the person who has been on this bus the longest. Everyone else who started this trip with me has already reached his/her destination. I see a big sign for Crown Fried Chicken and I remember the one around the corner from my old apartment in Bed-Stuy. [Track 21] When I hear this song by Vasco, I immediately remember the moment it was played at my wedding. Towards the end, around four or five in the morning. I was still dancing and singing with my friends. Yet it seemed like the night didn’t last long enough. The little girl in pink is now leaving with her mom and sister. I’m starting to feel really uneasy. From the awning speaking in Spanish, I gather we might be in Spanish Harlem or close or I’m simply ignorant of this part of town. The sign “Real Pizza” makes me smile. [Track 22] My I-Pod loves Pearl Jam, and usually opera as well. I start looking around for public-housing buildings. I have always lived right next to Projects since the first apartment I rented in this country. They have almost become a point of reference for my mental maps. [Track 23] It’s nighttime already and we are back traveling on Broadway, at 161st St. I see some buildings belonging to Columbia University and it’s the first time I come to this campus. It looks like a completely different town or city. Far away from where I was half-hour ago. On my left I see a café that attracts my attention with a catchy motto: “Come On In or Smile As You Pass”. I think it’s a very nice simple concept, and I do smile. [Track 24] In some of the store display windows I see mannequins showing off some really sexy garments for nice and curvy women. I remember when I weighed ten or fifteen pounds more, and had a completely different body silhouette than now. I miss it at times; I never meant to lose the weight, it just happened over time. Everyone is exiting the bus and I finally learn that this will be the last stop: 178th St. [Track 25] The bus driver realizes that I am still sitting here and starts chatting with me. He tells me that his shift is almost over and a few blocks away he’s going to deliver me to another man. He usually wakes about three in the morning to start a shift around five forty five. He usually gets back home so exhausted that he eats dinner and goes to sleep no later than eleven pm. But he does have two days off consecutively which he highly enjoys. I see the George Washington Bridge and it feels like I have just won a trophy, broke some kind of record, or received a gift I had been waiting for. I am not sure if I am just exhausted and delusional, but it looks beautiful from afar. “People over here are crazy”, the driver tells me to justify the fact that he doesn’t want me to get off the bus to then get back on. We turn around. [Track 26] I hear silence and I recognize John Cage’s 4’33”. My mind travels at the speed of light to find the memories of my good friend Michael Silver. He actually passed away while visiting some friends in New York City. He had me guarding his things while he was gone; we shared studio spaces inside the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He was probably in his sixties but always told everyone he was 55. In the past he had worked with and was mentored by John Cage himself. Made wonderfully brilliant installations and took some surreal photographs of Cage and flying brooms. Mike had left his wife and kids and his restaurant to pursue an alternate goal. But the details of his past were always blurry and he would only sporadically share them with very special and close friends. He died of a heart attack and was found ill with a severe case of Pneumonia. His cough was an auditory landmark; I used to wake up to it when spending the night at school during midterms and finals. He’s definitely missed. And as I end most of my subway rides, I end this interesting journey on the M5. I wish to everyone that has boarded and will board this bus to reach his or her destinations safe and sound. And as the Practices of Loving-Kindness and Compassion instruct, I pray:

“May all sentient beings enjoy happiness and the root of happiness.
May you be free from suffering and the root of suffering.
May you not be separated from the great happiness devoid of suffering.
May you dwell in the great equanimity free of passion, aggression and prejudice.”

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 01:03 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Our "man" was Vik Muniz, photographer, artist, writer.
Our approach was to recreate his artistic process. So we used everyone in the audience as a piece of data, completing a larger picture. We we the first ones to involve the entire class and environment. Sorry for the poor documentation but we were Week 2!!!!!

Our source and inspiration:

That was the final image made out of recycled paper and materials.

The Mapping of the space

The Mapping of the 'pixels'

And the dynamic of the presentation:

1. Show seating chart - one computer with slideshow on
2. Getting people to sit in right positions
3. Hand in cards
4. Switch to Live Feed
5. Show what's going on in the room
6. Flip the cards
7. Play back the last seconds of the transition
8. Show slide of what we intended to make
9. Slideshow of our process when questioned

Posted by Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis at 01:25 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)