Ephemeral Existence started as a simple investigation into the nostalgic world of analog audio recording.  As investigation continued, it became apparent that there is a powerful relationship between humanity and unique physical objects that share the same vulnerabilities.  Something becomes more treasured when it is not immediately replaceable.  This observation became the central concept of this project, and sought to discover what the temporary nature of our existence reflected in our behaviors.

Epemeral Existence from Dan Russo on Vimeo.

Edison wax cylinders became the focus due to their delicate construction and specific frequency ranges.  If tuned properly, it would be able to become a piece of hardware very specific to the content it was to record.

The hardware deploys the use of modern electronics and foil recording technology together, to manifest the experience of our present with our past.

The physical form of the sound waves can be seen as a visual pattern on the surface of the foil above.

rehab touch from Meng Shi on Vimeo.

The idea of the final project is to explore some possible way to detect people’s gesture when they touch something.

Background:

Stroke affects the majority survivors’ abilities to live independently and their quality of life.

The rehabilitation in hospital is extremly expensive and cannot be covered by medical insurance.

What we are doing is to provide them possible low cost solution, which is a home-based rehabilitation system.

Touche:

www.disneyresearch.com/project/touche-touch-and-gesture-sensing-for-the-real-world/

Touch and activate:

dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2501989

These two are using different way to realize gesture detection, touche is using capacitor change in the circuit while Touch and Activate is using frequency to detect frequency change.

My explore of these two based on two instructions:

Instructable: www.instructables.com/id/Touche-for-Arduino-Advanced-touch-sensing/

Ali: http://artfab.art.cmu.edu/touch-and-activate/

At first I explored “Touche”, and show it in critique,  after final critique, move to “touch and activate”.

In order to realize feedback, I connect Max and Processing to do visualization in processing, since it seems Max is not very good at data visualization part. (I didn’t find good lib to do data visualization in Max, maybe also because my limitation knowledge of Max.)

Limitation of system:

“Touch and Activate” seems not work very well in noising environment even it just use high frequency (like the final demo environment).

The connection between Max and Processing is not very strong. So if I want to do some complicated pattern, the signal is too weak to do that.

In a dark room, words, motions, and even thoughts are amplified.

Echo Chamber places its audience inside a room where the only sound is the sound that they make, cycled through a audio feedback loop; and the only light is light that follows this sound’s pitch and volume.

The piece places its audience unexpectedly in control of this room, and explores how they react. Do they explore its sounds and lights? Do they try to find order in the feedback? Or do they shrink back, afraid that the feedback will grow out of control?

Fleeting Desperation from Dan Russo on Vimeo.

Fleeting Desperation gathers information regarding fresh water reserves on the west coast (specifically California).  Heavy river control and population increase have stretched the capabilities of the the region to sustain life.  Year by year the data is reflected by scratching on the back side of the artifact.  As the water continues to deplete, the scratching grows slower and slower.

“Noise” will be a collaborative, physical music-looping device.

What I have created is a way for the user to experience music up close and personal without the need for headphones. “Sound Personal” is a Wireless Stereo Speaker System embedded into a backpack. The implications of this device are meant for daily commuters, college students, bikers, or anyone who enjoys wearing backpacks and music.

As the prototype, I opted for sewn on pockets to hold the speakers, instead of cutting holes into the straps of my backpack directly. The design had to be flush with the bulk of the materials inside of the backpack. Using a Wireless Bluetooth Audio Receiver, grounding both the speakers and connecting them to a 3.5mm coupling, I was able to effectively turn my backpack into a compatible Apple Airplay device.

In the future model, I hope to achieve volume control from the straps of the backpack, as well as have the speakers more embedded into the backpack straps while also being adjustable.