The apparatus with which we measure the world shapes how we perceive it, and thereby how we choose to intervene and design systems within it. What we count, counts.
Create a machine that asks a question of an environment, a system of infrastructure, an ecosystem or another life form. Your machine should either measure an interesting dynamic, measure something in an interesting way, or create an interesting provocation by bringing an uncommon measurement to our attention. Your machine’s ‘data’ should be displayed or made perceptible at or near the location of the measurement in some way. However, the focus here is on the selection and collection of intriguing data, rather than on the production of an attractive interpretation or visualization. What overlooked dynamics or invisible rhythms can you discover and draw attention to at the site of collection? What counts as ‘data’?
Your project’s location is critically important: the situation of your device will affect who encounters it, shape how it is perceived, and influence the meaning it evokes. Consider if you are measuring ambient, incidental, or deliberate activity, and whether or not your device is passive or actively used. Be sure to make a video documenting your measurement device at the data collection point.
You may use any data collection method. Eg. a microcontroller and a sensor (I can loan some of these out if you do not own one) or a non-computational way of collecting data (think drawing, mark making, use of photo sensitive paper etc etc).
If you choose to use a sensor, there are a huge array of options out there. But remember that even a humble switch is a sensor—and that some switches, like tilt switches, can measure inadvertent movements in the world. Likewise, a proximity sensor doesn’t mean you have to measure proximity. Instead, you might measure the amount of time that something is proximal to the sensor (recording seconds, not centimeters). Or perhaps you might count the number of times that something has come close to the sensor.
Note that sometimes, student electronics projects can look suspicious. If you install your device in a public place, be sure to secure necessary permissions (such as from your campus safety officer), and attach a small sign to your device with appropriate information.
See this collection of meters and measuring devices for inspiration (from the lecture).
See this overview of physical computing resources.
Due:
The start of class in Week 5: October 2nd.
Deliverables:
You are to present your device and video documentation of the device in class in Week 5. Documentation of your work in still imagery is also recommended. You are also to share a short piece of reflective writing on your work (1-3 paragraphs). Please address:
- Describe your project in a sentence or two.
- How did you think about the act of collecting data in this work? What relationship to the environment does your concept imply?
- What artists or themes were you thinking about as you formulated the idea?
- How did you use site? How did you use technology? How did you choreograph the audience? Did you utilize interaction and why? Who (creator, audience, other lifeforms) has agency in this work and who doesn’t?
- What open questions did you have going in? How did making the work change or address these questions?
- What surprised you about this task?
- If you were to do this again, what would you change to clarify or extend ?