Day 11: (Tue Oct 5, Week 6) Show Brainstorming

Notes for 2021-10-05.

Administrative

  • If you use the IDeATe laser cutters, always make an entry on the hot-work log. Otherwise there is a threat that access may be further limited.

Agenda

  1. A synopsis of our journey to date:

    • Essentials of rigid body robot simulation.

    • Exploration of non-anthropomorphic robots and manipulators.

    • Experimentation with expressive physical dynamics.

    • Discussion of basic concepts in kinematics and control theory.

    • Experiments with cooperative agents.

    • Investigation into suitcase-scale sculpture and machinery.

    • Practical experience with low-cost stepper-motor automation.

    • Overview of approaches to behavior and performance authoring.

  2. The main question remains: how can we make a surprisingly animate machine (within the constraints of a suitcase)?

  3. Almost everything we have done to date constitutes form and subject matter, so we can still be asking:

    • What idea do you wish to express through movement and interaction?

    • Is there a question or inquiry you wish to explore?

    • What story do you wish to tell or character to explore?

    • Is there a narrative conceit or scenario you find appealing?

  4. Review progress reports.

  5. Brainstorming breakouts. We’ve been building bottom-up; let’s turn it around again and ask:

    • What’s the premise?

    • How can it be portrayed non-linguistically through movement and interaction?

    • Are there distinct agents? If so, how do they interact?

    • What is the role of the human observer?

  6. Round 1: brainstorm two ideas for a machine performance centered on the physical, tactile interaction between two machines.

  7. Round 2: brainstorm two ideas for a machine performance evoking a tiny world within a suitcase.

  8. Round 3: brainstorm two ideas for a machine performance evoking a portable carnival or circus.

Performance Resources

  1. suitcases

    • purchase inexpensive equipment cases

    • purchase inexpensive antique or used suitcases

    • make notional suitcases (e.g. on the laser-cutter)

  2. setting and dressing

    • laser-cut plywood

    • 3D-printed artifacts and mechanisms

    • found and purchased artifacts

    • feathers

    • fabric

    • multiples and ensembles

  3. actuation and movement

    • stepper motors

    • hobby servos

    • DC motors

    • low-pressure pneumatics

    • mechanical energy storage (springs and counterweights)

    • underactuated mechanisms

    • out-of-plane 3D motions

  4. sensing and interaction

    • switches and photointerrupters

    • IR range sensors

    • sonar proximity sensors

    • machine vision

  5. choreography and animation

    • real-time Python control system, scripting, motion generation

    • MIDI performer input

    • MIDI sequencing

    • traditional trapezoidal motion control

    • idiosyncratic physical interfaces, e.g. puppet controller

  6. light and shadow

    • Source Four lights

    • Soraa LED lights

    • Neopixel LED lights

    • DMX lighting fixtures

    • shadows: wall, scrim, ceiling, etc.

  7. sound and music

    • motor sound

    • actuated physical instruments

    • synthesized or prerecorded sound