lighting instrument experiments in everyday space (i.e. Brickyard)

by Xin Wei Sha

I’d like to (re)introduce you and Omar Faleh, who is coming from the TML for the LRR in November.

In parallel to the iStage work, we should push forward on the animation of lighting in the Brickyard by • Bringing natural sunlight into the BY commons (Josh) • Modulating that natural light using Byron’s mechatronics • Make motorized desk lamps using Byron’s mechatronics • Designing rhythms (ideas from Omar, using Julian’s rhythm kit)

Can we see what you have come up with this coming week?

Meanwhile let me encourage you to communicate with Omar to see what you can create by the time of his arrival circa Nov 17.

To be clear, this is distinct from the LRR in the iStage, but as strategically important in that it is the extension of that work into everyday space, which is one of Synthesis’ main research extensions this year.

I’d like to write this work into a straw proposal for external sponsorship of your work… so it’d be great to have some pix soon!

Cheers, Xin Wei

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Hello all, I may have found a way to incorporate Byron's mechatronics to utilize natural light. I have many laser cut "icicles" of dichromatic acrylic (picture attached) (i.e http://alysonshotz.com/files/gimgs/40_alyson-sh...). These "icicles" do a great job of capturing light. I could hang many of these from a panel which either may be recessed in place of a ceiling panel or hung from a ceiling panel. This panel could be made of a flexible material that already exists: (http://upload.ecvv.com/upload/Product/201010/Ch...) or out of a material that is laser cut to become flexible. The panel could be animated from a number of control points using Byron's mechatronics. This would create an effect similar to the combination of: http://www.artcom.de/en/projects/project/detail... + http://s245.photobucket.com/user/witchyhoy3/med... = potential light installation We then could create an array of panels or clusters of panels which could take in rhythm data via xOSC and output them into movement of the "icicles" positions in space. it is important to have a certain amount of light in the space to create a visual equilibrium and relieve tension in the eyes. These "icicles" will not provide an significant introduction of light in to the space. However they will produce a refraction of the existing light and a dynamic and non- intrusive way. If this light is paired with Josh's light tube system or the already existing natural light I believe it could create an small amplification of that light but more importantly a psychological affect that may have equal weight on the users of the space. I think it is important to have subtle but aesthetic pleasing sources of light in the workspace and this may function in that regard. Any thoughts or criticisms? I could fabricate these panels and install a small cluster by the workshop date. Byron do you think it would be possible to animate them by this time? I will leave the bag of "icicles" on your desk at synthesis for reference. Side note: I leave Monday for the AR2U conference in Ames, Iowa. So I won't be able to continue on this project until I get back on the 10th. thanks, -matthew briggs undergraduate researcher @synthesiscenter matthew.briggs@asu.edu
— Matt Briggs
A follow up, I just spoke with Byron and hypothesized some potential applications the "icicles." In the application above we could create movement based of the refraction of the natural light or interject movement based on applied rhythm. We also spoke of using this light refraction as a feedback loop as a form of rhythm. This application could be applied to the movement in forms beyond the panels using the natural light as a parameter. A suggested form could be a desk lamp or a corner extension. The "icicles" could be stacked from top to bottom and rotated from the base to create a vertical or horizontal deflection. The "icicles" could also be installed in a flexible panel in a more rigid application to give direct control over their movement. We discussed the fact that the application of the "icicles" needs to be architectural rather then sculptural. I think this can be achieved in all of these applications but would like some input on these applications. Unfortunately I cannot find any examples of the other applications but I can create sketches if it is unclear. Byron also assured that the mechatronics would work in these scenarios. PS (I've attached the images in this email) thanks, -matthew briggs undergraduate researcher @synthesiscenter matthew.briggs@asu.edu
— Matt Briggs