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January 31, 2006
Nam June Paik, 1932-2006
I lived right behind the Posco Bldg on Tehran Rd, in Seoul. His work was permanently exhibited inside this bldg. I clearly remember all those TV screens flickering...
RIP
Nam June Paik
1932-2006
Fluxus Video Artist
http://www.paikstudios.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nam_June_Paik
Nam June Paik passed away at his Miami home at 8:00pm EST on Sunday, January
29th, 2006.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11098552/
Funeral Information:
Memorial services will be held at Frank E Campbell Funeral Chapel at
1076 Madison Avenue at 81 St. (phone 212-288-3500) New York City,
this Friday, February 3rd, at 3 PM. There will be a viewing at the same
location on Thursday from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Cards and letters of condolence should be sent to:
Nam June Paik/Shigeko Kubota
341 Lafayette St, # 4306
New York, NY 10012
USA
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:
EAI (Electronic Arts Intermix)
535 W 22nd St, 5th floor
NY, New York 10011
212-337-0679
PRESS INQUIRIES should be made to Ken Hakuta at 202-669-7477, or to Dolores
An in Korean at 845-220-7870.
Posted by min at 11:28 PM | Comments (0)
High Tech Art, is it merely a trend?
I've been asking myself this question for the longest time. Is high tech art really just a current trend that everyone's raving about? As brought up in the reading, where DOES one draw the line?
I completely agree with the fact that the art should not be driven by the technology available today. The technology is only a tool to the artists that aid them to realize what they exactly have in mind. It's a tool similar to the way monkeys may use tools to get certain things done. I've seen so many pieces that are just purely technical, where artistically and conceptually, does not carry through. There is a strong distinction between an artist and an inventor.
"High-tech artists do not necessarily engage in science... Technology is seen as "knowing how," while science is seen as "knowing why."
fi·nite (fī'nīt') pronunciation
adj.
1.
1. Having bounds; limited: a finite list of choices; our finite fossil fuel reserves.
2. Existing, persisting, or enduring for a limited time only; impermanent.
2. Mathematics.
1. Being neither infinite nor infinitesimal.
2. Having a positive or negative numerical value; not zero.
3. Possible to reach or exceed by counting. Used of a number.
4. Having a limited number of elements. Used of a set.
Posted by min at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
PlasmaProject Update
Todd, Tracy and I tried to figure out the preamp box tonight. We opened one up and looked up the part number and found out that they were using a separate preamp component used for car sound systems!
We're going to try and build our own preamp boards soon. We're a little confused about the transformer section, but we believe that this does not play a very important part in the whole setup.
We'll be using the preamp component instead of trying to build our own using the LM386s.
We'll be meeting again to discuss about the project and what kind of first application we could come up with using these.
Interesting read on the film speaker.
Posted by min at 10:14 PM | Comments (0)
Todd Holoubek's father...
Was the inventor of the iron on T-shirts in the 70s.
I learn new things every day.
Posted by min at 09:23 PM | Comments (0)
A set of rules
In the classroom.
1. One person in the classroom.
2. Place 2 gray chairs side by side with the seat facing up.
3. Go on top of the seat.
4. Get as many people on the seat as possible onto the 2 seats.
Posted by min at 05:35 PM | Comments (0)
Types of Sensors, interfaces 01.31.06
Review of assignment
ex. decoupling capacitors- time delay the passage of electricity. this is the same way we'd protect our computers from a possible sudden, voltage drop. A capacitor before the sensor may smooth out the electrical flow for a better reading.
The emitter and the transmitter. In regular transistors (base, collector and the emitter), electrons are sent into the base that fill holes and lets current pass through the collector and the emitter, creating a "gateway"
The transmitter in the IR acts as a transistor w.o the base. The phototransistors in the IR uses photons, instead of the electrons. Light comes into the IR and charges the sensor.
VDD of the PIC becomes the automatic VREF but we can also reference it separately
Sensor Interfaces
Flex Sensor
Piezo Sensor
this charges up to a certain point and then stops it. ex. in XPORT circuits
Different types of sensors, true analog sensors
Ref from MCS
RCTIME Pin,State,Var
RCTIME measures the time a Pin stays in a particular State. It is basically half a PULSIN. Pin may be a constant, 0 - 15, or a variable that contains a number 0 - 15 (e.g. B0) or a pin name (e.g. PORTA.0). RCTIME may be used to read a potentiometer (or some other resistive device). Resistance can be measured by discharging and timing the charge (or vice versa) of a capacitor through the resistor (typically 5K to 50K). The resolution of RCTIME is dependent upon the oscillator frequency. If a 4MHz oscillator is used, the time in state is returned in 10us increments. If a 20MHz oscillator is used, the time in state will have a 2us resolution. Defining an OSC value has no effect on RCTIME. The resolution always changes with the actual oscillator speed. If the pin never changes state, 0 is returned.
Example
LOW PORTB.3 ' Discharge cap to start
PAUSE 10 ' Discharge for 10ms
RCTIME PORTB.3,0,W0 ' Read potentiometer on Pin3
Posted by min at 12:55 PM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2006
Sensor and Time Assignment
It was hard to get back into the pcomp mode once again...
I did the assignment with an FSR (force sensor) and a flex sensor. Initially, I had no problem getting values using the serial communicator. I had placed a pot (variable resistor) so that I could control the resolution of the sensor values.
However, in Processing Datalogging, I wasn't able to see any change in graphics.
Processing code by Tom Igoe.
I had fogotten to just do serial out on the [ADCvar] in the pic code. After the error was found, I was able to see some changes in graphics, but not too evident.
I was able to use 2 different sensors to see the different values being output using serial communication.
Posted by min at 11:49 PM | Comments (0)
The Coming Age of Calm Technology
I enjoyed reading this article by Mark Weiser and John Seely Brown.
I was quite surprised by the fact that people had such ideas in 1996, when personal computers and networks weren't as available to individuals.
The first sentence of the articles is powerful, "What matters is not technology, but its relationship to us." Technology is only a tool that people use to facilitate their lives. It can not be the core factor in life, nor can it be disruptive to us. So the relationship is something that I've always asked myself about. There are so many peripherals today that we all own. However, I sometimes get all wound up in the whole idea of the cool gadgets and techs and I find myself feeling overburdened by these new technology.
It is important that as artists, engineers and inventors at ITP, we try to embed this idea of "calm technology" into our projects.
I was recently in Korea over the break and learned quite a lot about the new ubiquitous city, in development, the Song Do City, Incheon. It's a city where the whole community will be networked, creating smart homes, appartments and environments that is aware of the human activity. Even today, in Seoul, there are new apparments in the city where the appliances and the utilities within a home is networked. One could use their cell phones to connect into their appartments to check in on the heating, gas leaks and possible burglaries. One could even monitor the humidity and oxygen levels.
"Ubiquitous computing is fundamentally characterized by the connection of things in the world with computation." When this is true, it is essential that the user should have the choice to stay out of all this networking. The user should NOT be overburdened and he should be able to have complete control.
Personally, I find that my cell phone for instance is a form of calm technology. I may choose to leave it on vibrate mode, ignore it and get back to it when I can. However, the email application is not "calm" to me what so ever. Constantly notifying me of the emails that I get that require my attention. I can choose to ignore it, just like I would with my cell phone, but currently being a student, it's my habit that I choose to put emails at a higher priority.
Interesting recent read, Real-time design in the "world as spread-sheet"
Posted by min at 02:09 PM | Comments (0)
Calm Technology, Xport 01.26.06
Discussion
Calm tech, with the abundance of info, computers, gadgets and peripherals that are widely available today, it has to be a form of passive technology.
OSI [Open Systems Interconnections Model]
More info in this link.
7 layers
Any of these layers can be removed and won't affect the other layers below it.
Control Issues in Networks
Xport, the communication
Posted by min at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)
Generative Artists 01.25.06
Generative Art = Using generative processes to create art
Artists
Rube Goldberg
Damien Hirst
Catherine Chalmers
livingsculpture.com
Eshel Ben-Jabcom
Tulum
Tara Donovan
Amy Youngs
Christo and Jeanne-Claude
potatoland.com
Cloaca Original
Posted by min at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)
Class One 01.18.06
Class structure
Class link
Required text book: Information Arts by Steven Wilson. Thank you Alice for lending me your book! :)
Generative Art?
Set up rules then the art comes along from it. Set up our own rules.
Definitions from Answers.com
Posted by min at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2006
Class one 01.19.06
Class structure
Class link
Three hardware projects
Reponses on readings on blogs
Discussions on networks today
Posted by min at 02:11 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2006
Sensors and Time 01.24.06
Schematics show how the parts are electrically related.
Voltage divider
We can find out how much V is depending on the ratio of the X resistance.
Raising the voltage in cases of audio.
Ex. When tuning of the circuit.
Taking in and reading 2 relative voltages.
ADC compare: comparing two different analogs.
CODE: (ADC ins are 10 bits)
ADCON1
Special function registers, preference settings: how fast it samples, how many bits move.
In case of force sensors.
Code for keeping track of past and the current
Beginning
IF (past <=threshold) and (current> threshold)
End
IF (past >=threshold) and (current Peak IF (current>=peak) then peak= current Finding local peaks IF (current<=past) and (past>=ancient) then local peak=past problems- noise
Visualization of sensors over time
Posted by min at 03:58 PM | Comments (0)
Basics of Sensors 01.17.06
What is a sensor?
Converting one form of energy into another.
How can we exchange energy forms?
• RFIDs (Radio Freq Identification) embedded into pets to locate and track them.
• Inductance: When current is passed through a wire, it generates a magnetic field. Ex. Motors, radios etc
• Passive RFIDs : Reading the bounced back energy; the difference in signals.
• RS232 : Serial Protocol
Class Requirements
Sensor Report: individual
• What the sensor does
• The interface
• How to use it
• Schematics and codes
In-class sensor reports
Reading and questions of the datasheets
When looking at different sensors, we look at
• Its stability
• What energy it reads
• States in analog, the sensitivity (threshold) and the range of voltage that we get
Threshold: The point at which a signal (voltage, current, etc.) is perceived as valid.
• Dynamic range input and the output range
• Resolution in different applications, what resolution does our application need?
• Temporal resolution (the time that affects the sensor), depending on the response time. Ex light switches, when they don’t react in time, we may end up switching it a few times. HMI lights ((Hydrargyrum Medium arc Iodide) A flicker-free light source recommended for digital cameras that require long periods of exposure) take a while to turn on. In this case, the output is taking long.
• Bandwidth of sensor : how fast it can read.
• Transfer: how does input become an output? Linear growth. y=mx+b
Non-linear growth: usually the end points, the data that we can not work with.
• Hystereses in sensors : contained in one zone that shows a range of possible relationships in the readings. Variability within a range (bouncing on and off)
• Debouncing in switches: allows the values to settle.
• Noise: values that you don’t want in the readings. High signal to noise are reliable sensors. Which means that the hardware itself filters out and averages.
Negative feedback (to the direction going): reverses the data received.
Positive feedback: amplifies the data received. Ex in EEG system
When tiny voltages are involved, we amplify the signal to a particular point to get better readings. This may cause the signal to increase faster when it is rising
Reading sensors
Digital Oscilloscope: To read sensors over a long period of time. Reading the electrical signal change. One can look at the signals very closely
Channel 1, VOL TS-DVV to amplify visual and to read finer resolutions.
SEC/DEV
Posted by min at 03:37 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2006
James Clar's latest work
2004 ITP alum, James Clar came up in our discussion once again. I absolutely love all his works.
This time, Interactive Architecture! I'd love to see this bldg in real life. I've seen his other works but this is definately something a lot grander in scale!
Interactive Architecture dot org featured his works.
One vid, featuring his work.
Posted by min at 01:36 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
Generative Artists
I've decided to look at the works of my friend, a new york-based artist, Eun Joo Shin.
I quote,
"First, I distinguish the different physical uniqueness of a human with the idea of the four primary elements derived from the ancient Greek philosophy. These four elements, soil, water, fire and the air represent the physique, blood, energy and the soul in the human body. These elements interlace distinctively to create a novel human physique and furthermore, the entire universe... Every human being has its very own soul. Even though a human clone may physically be replicated, its soul is not. My kinetic sculpture installation, “New Family,” consists of six round-shaped objects, which symbolize the “human embryo.” These objects interact and re-act off of one another. Based on the idea of genetic cloning, one unique light source stimulates and affects the other “human embryos” with its same behavior. The six separate objects generate their own sounds, which imply their unique soulfulness."
This piece in particular has 6 globes that have a life of its own. They interact with each other and constantly interact with one another.
Another artist that struck my attention is one of my professors back at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
He had created a fluorescent bunny that would glow green when blue light was lit on. He had realized this by combining the genes of the jelly fish with the rabbit. Is this generative? I'm still not quite sure...
"My transgenic artwork "GFP Bunny" comprises the creation of a green fluorescent rabbit, the public dialogue generated by the project, and the social integration of the rabbit. GFP stands for green fluorescent protein. "GFP Bunny" was realized in 2000 and first presented publicly in Avignon, France. Transgenic art, I proposed elsewhere, is a new art form based on the use of genetic engineering to transfer natural or synthetic genes to an organism, to create unique living beings. This must be done with great care, with acknowledgment of the complex issues thus raised and, above all, with a commitment to respect, nurture, and love the life thus created."
While browsing for some different artitsts, I've noticed a strong connection between human genes / biology and generative art. Multiple artists have attempted to translate the rules, patterns and the functionality into an art form. Some art work suggest this quite evidently, some, a little difficult to see its system.
Posted by min at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)
Come by here for more inputs
soon.
Posted by min at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2006
Preamp and the Plasma
Got to figure out the preamp part.
Posted by min at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2006
PlasmaIonSpeakers Tested
Todd H and I tried out the 2m sheet that I brought back from Korea. The cool thing about these is that the sound changes as one bends the sheet, changing the EQ as you play around with it.
See here for their website.
As of now, the COO of the company has agreed to give me 1m for $100. If you get the sample set, it's $150 for the film and the preamp box and the power supply. When only the film is ordered, it comes in 35cm in width and whatever length. The sample film is about 10" by 8". I'm sure that we could build the preamp part and experiment with different ones to get different sound qualities out of them. When the film is bent, it produces a louder, more fuller sound.
I will email him and let him know as to how many people are interested in purchasing. Let me know how many meters you would like to purchase.
Email me if you need more details.
min.lee@nyu.edu
Posted by min at 12:23 AM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2006
ThinkGeek
A surprising gift in the mail.
Thank you! :)
Posted by min at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)
USB PIC programmer, melabs
Exchanged my serial usb programmer with the USB one that's just come out of melabs. It is on its way!!!
Our latest PIC® Programmer is driven and powered from a single USB port on your computer. No additional AC power adapter is needed. The programmer is recognized by Windows as an HID (Human Interface Device) rather than a virtual serial port, simplifying driver installation.
The programmer consists of two parts. The programmer board is specifically designed for In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP). An adapter is included to allow the programming of DIP-packaged PICs from 8 to 40 pins. The programmer is compatible with the complete line of Programming Adapters. This allows you to program almost any ICSP-capable PIC in almost any package.
The new design is small and compact. The programmer board measures only 1.5" x 2.3". A dual color LED indicates programmer status. The connection to the computer is via a standard USB cable (Type-A male to Type-B male).
Posted by min at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)
Music Column comes to a close
Working with Jin Yo has been more than inspiring and rewarding to say the least. Even at the end of the semester, I was really excited to make it down there. It's almost like going into a play area, a little different from the one at ITP.
Just sitting in his studio and observing and listening to him is more than what I could learn in a single class.
The music column project has come to an end here in NYC. The full installation will go on in Jeju Islands, Daum Headquarters in Korea for the opening on the 16th of Feb 2006. I hope everything just comes together for him over there. He made everything from scratch! From looking at his project, I've noticed that he's a pefectionist. Jin Yo knows detail and is a fine crafter. I'm just lucky he decided to use my help.
Jin Yo worked with a professional engineer, Steve Hirschman, to get some help in the audio part and the serial communication part.
Can't wait till he comes back in Feb to start his new project.
Posted by min at 01:56 PM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2006
SMLEDs
I really like them.
Posted by min at 06:58 AM | Comments (0)
PS1 Visit
Went to PS1 in Long Island City with JD today to see a big "pcompy" exhibition.
Jon Kessler, The Palace at 4 A.M, encorporates video work and motors with interesting print work. H e dealt with current political issues in the US as a theme for this work. My personal reaction is that the artist showed a little too much of this working process as a whole, and that the piece seemed too complicated and a bit hard to comprehend at times.
"All of the apparatuses used for The Palace at 4 A.M. are in plain view. Thus, the wires, gears, cameras, motors, etc. constitute the body of the work itself, creating yet another dual relationship. Though Kessler demystifies the physical structure, it also serves to further mystify his manipulations; viewers must trust themselves to ponder the power of each image despite that fact that everything is visible to the eye."
Posted by min at 06:46 AM | Comments (0)
January 09, 2006
Final PCBs
Think we soldered for a good 12 plus hours! :)
Posted by min at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)
January 07, 2006
Inbar Barak
Random sitings.
Amazing work by Inabar, DIMobile. Can't wait to see it on the streets everywhere.
Posted by min at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)
Outtings in Korea
Went to Bitforms Korea. They had Michel Joaquin Grey's exhibition. His large prints and interactive screen based projects that he worked on. Pretty cool work. Amazing visuals.
Too bad I'm going to miss Danny Rozin's opening on the 13th. Those in Seoul, please have some pics to share! :)
On my way back saw a v. pretty store front.
Posted by min at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2006
Korea, YongSan
Ended up going to the candie stores before my departure. Fun things! Found a very cool speaker place.
Posted by min at 11:53 PM | Comments (0)