Audio Walk

Here is a link to the audio walk: http://jupiterart.tumblr.com/post/4162010218/audio-walk
Here is a map of our walk: http://jupiterart.tumblr.com/post/4162061048/here-is-a-map-of-our-audio-walk-we-started-at

Enjoy!

Audio Walk- Near Completion

Here's a link to the audio file: http://jupiterart.tumblr.com/post/4008016234/audio-walk-near-completion

Crafty

I found this really neat craft website that has some great ideas. Thought I would share!

http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/diy/

Audio Walk Rough Draft

Here is the rough draft of our assignment :) This is our audio walk so far. It is in video format for now until I figure out how to post the mp3 file on the blog.

MurMur Experience Downtown

Usually I do not venture downtown because I like to avoid the crowds of people walking amongst the sidewalks. Today, after class, however, I took the bus downtown to check out a MurMur checkpoint. I wasn't sure which one to go to, so I chose the location I am most familiar with. I thought it would be interesting to go to a neighbour I am used to, and learn something I didn't know about it. I headed down to Spadina and Queen Street, one of my favourite areas to shop because of China town and the small boutiques. I knew there were a few MurMur checkpoints in the area, so I ventured around to find one in front of a building I thought was neat. I came across the Horshoe Tavern (on Queen Street W). I picked this one to listen to because the place looked very small on the outside, and sounded like a neat western style bar/grill place-or so that is what I picked up from the outside. I called in the number (194592), and listened to two people speak. It was neat to listen to the audio of the building because it gave me a new perpective that I would not have had from just seeing the place. Apparently, this small western like tavern is big on rock music. They have many music nights and very interesting bands that come in to play. They said that they have even had Billy Talent, The Rolling Stones, and The Police play there in the past 50 years. I never would have known this by looking at the outside of the building. I just thought that it was some small  off-the-beaten-path restaurant that would not get much business. A very interesting experience in all.

Audio Walk- Ideas and Research

For our audio walk, we want to showcase York University for future students looking to apply or discover York. To do this we want to showcase a day at York in a present Student's eyes. The walk will contain true facts, but also have a fictional based storyline.  We want to make sure to incorporate humour and knowledge in this walk to appeal to the audience of future students.

We will start at the TTC bus stops, where the student will be listening to music on the bus before getting off the bus and starting the day. Then the student will continue on, while the audience listens and follows his movements and guidance through the campus. The walk will capture some of the sights at york through a lecture, lunch time at the student center, and finding research material at the Scott Library. The student's thoughts and voice will narrate the walk, while sounds of the surroundings, and music from the student's Mp3 player serenade at times.

Our goal is to attract future students to York by giving a day-in-the-life experience, while providing tips to surviving school at York Campus, and adding useful factual information that the future student may need to know or want to know.

We will incorporate:
Music
Noises/Sounds
Narration
Interview (or rather conversation with a librarian)

To research for our walk, we will be asking present students what they think about parts of campus, while also searching the York Website for handy information for students:

ex.: http://www.yorku.ca/web/about_yorku/

I'll keep you updated as we work further on this assignment. 

The Poster

This is the poster for my Imaginarium device:

Enjoy, and make sure you read all about the device and how it works on the poster, and in previous posts!  Click to enlarge :)

Embodiment Assignment: Imaginarium

Pictures of the project:




The headphones: There are two electrodes that pick up signals from the brain, and transmit them to the computer. This is the closest the electrodes can get to the brain, without implanting anything. Once the electrodes send the information to the computer, it is processed, and the images are projected onto the screen. The ear buds produce different sounds, and they also down out outside noise.

 The Imaginarium room: The room is dark in order to have a crisp picture projected onto the screens. There is three screens that surround the player to make the world realistic. The player stands on a sensor mat in order for the computer to pick up more movement from the feet. There are also three sensors above each screen to capture other body movements. The computer components are on top of the room where the title "Imaginarium" is.

The Science behind my Embodiment Project

I have been interested in researching how my design can become a realistic possibility. Now, we already know that sensors can pick up movements and send them to a computer. Of course, this has already been done by Xbox Kinect, and other programs, like I have mentioned. The problem is learning the science behind electrodes and thought process, and connecting it with a computer.

I read an article on Brain-Computer Interfaces to see how they work. The article is found here . It says that ­"regardless of the location of the electrodes, the basic mechanism is the same: The electrodes measure minute differences in the voltage between neurons. The signal is then amplified and filtered. In current BCI systems, it is then interpreted by a computer program".
This is exactly what I was looking for. Now knowing that the electrodes can be placed anywhere on the "brain" and still pick up the same effect, I can determine how I want to design my headset. Not only this, but I now know the science behind the thought process.

This 'thought process' is already being used in medical practices and just recently beginning to occur in other programs (like the prototype games I talked about before).

There are still a few problems behind Brain-Computer Interfaces that I have to be aware of and try to fix or work around. These being: 
1)The signal is week, and is prone to interference
2)Equipment is not very portable
3)The brain is complex, and its hard for electrodes to pick up every bit of information.

Some of these issues can be addressed, and I can make them useful to my design process. For example, number two can be improved upon, and made portable through a headphone/electrode attachment.

These are just some things I need to think about behind the design of my device.

Again, here is the link to the article I was reading (On HowStuffWorks; which is a Discovery Channel Company) : http://computer.howstuffworks.com/brain-computer-interface.htm/printable

Update/Sketch of Embodiment Design

Here is a sketch of my ideas, and process of the design. Enjoy.

Embodiment Proposal

I want to explore new technologies and innovations that are popular amongst populations today. There has been a demand for interactive devices that either provide simplicity, get work done, or are for fun. My aim, being that of the latter. With new gaming systems coming out frequently in todays age, I want to come up with something new and exciting that will catch the eyes of everyone and anyone.

My idea incorporates existing ideas, and puts them into a new form. The result will be a video game that interacts with the body, and the mind. It starts out with a small room, of approximately 9 by 9' feet. Of course this would be appropriate for arcades, or larger facilities. Inside of the room is three screens, one on each wall (of course excluding the wall with the opening/door). The screens surround you to give you a 3D experience. On top of the screens are 3 sensors, to capture more movement. There is also a sensor on the floor, to allow the person to walk around, stomp, jump, or sit down in the game.

When you think about it, this is much like the Xbox Kinect; which interacts with the body. The difference from the Kinect and my innovation, is that there is better sensory, it feels like your in a virtual world instead of just being portrayed in one, and gives one the ability to do more in the game (walk further, sit down, etc). Another difference is that my game includes a helmet design that has neurosensors. The neurosensors read your thoughts and relay them to the screens. You can create a virtual world that never existed outside of your imagination. Your vision shows up on the screens, and you can explore your world with the sensors that pick up your movements. For example, you can think up your own horror world with zombies, and walk around the haunted streets battling the ferocious creatures that you made up. You feel like you are in the game, because of your movements, thoughts, and large screens. This game will not be the faint of heart, as it will appeal to emotions. Many will find this invorgorating. For example, if you think up something that is scary to you (for example, giant spiders chasing you), you may have feelings of fear because it feels like spiders are right beside you.

There is also an interactive invention that is in the works right now called 'brain interfaces'. These brain interfaces also have neurosensors that take peoples thoughts and control the game. The problem is, these controls have limitations. You can only think through navigation, and small movements. In my device, you can think up your own world and video game! Not use thoughts to play an existing game. What fun is there in that?

I think many people will enjoy my device, and I can't wait to work on it, figure out its qwirks, and design it. I'll keep you up to date. Hopefully I will upload a sketch of some ideas on the device design for you soon.

Response to: Bodies In Code by Mark Hansen

Mark Hansen's article talks about the body and how it relates to technology. He explains how it is unlike any other game or experience. Instead of using a controller, or clicking a mouse, the body is the controller of the digital environment. It is the use of the body that will connect the person to the virtual world of the game, not other aspects of it, like the graphics. He gives us an example of the TRACES program by Simon Penny. It is similar to an XBOX kinect, but without the environment background of the game. It focuses solely on the body so that the user can connect with their own senses.

I think that a the body is sometimes abused by many today. People see it as merely a shell, or distinction between others. My relationship to my body is one of complication. I love that I can use my body to go horse back riding, go for a run, stretch, swim, etc. The problem is that I do not always get to enjoy the activities that my body can offer. Instead I sit in front of a computer doing homework or watching T.V. I think that a new technology that uses the body could be a fresh new way to connect with yourself, and your outer-being. The new Xbox Kinect-which seems to be a new approach to TRACES- gives many the chance to use their whole body for exercise and fun. My whole family loves to run through obstacle courses, practice dancing, learn kick-boxing, and many other activities right at home. The use of a sensor technology to capture movements is quite innovative, and I think will capture the eyes of many age groups interested in gaming and exercise. The body schema can disclose a whole new world with the user in power.

3-D Model

Here is my mini assignment for this week. I created a house, with an open roof, so that you can see inside. Inside I have added chairs, a couch, a picture, some rugs, and a table. I hope you enjoy this small model. I hope to do more with Google Sketch as time goes on.

Network Project

Hi everyone! So today my Network Project is due! I worked on it last class, and have been able to get a lot more done with it. I wish I could have had more time to make it perfect, and add in some more cool pages, but I did as much as I could, and worked really hard to get what I have produced. So to no further adieu,

VOILA! C'est ca:  Click to see my WEBSITE  !!

I hope you enjoy it, and remember to visit the link to the actual Deviantart, which is posted at the bottom of my website. :)

P.s: Notice the horse favicon, as you browse the site...thought you might like that.

My Network Project:Description

My network project is a website that plays with the design of another site that already exists. I worked with one of my favourite websites, Deviantart. Deviantart is an art community where people can upload and share their art. It inspires and helps people develop their artistic skills. The design of their site isn't anything extraordinary; however, it is the concept of community and culture and inspiration that intruiges me. This is why I have chosen Deviantart to inspire my website.

So far my website is almost a mirror image of Deviantart (It is Jupiterart!), with a home page that has images, a description, and links to various sites. Many of the normal Deviantart buttons have been changed so that they link to outside sources (ie. facebook, notepad, journals, etc), instead of Deviantart pages. If you click on 'digital art' or 'traditional art' you will be linked to many of my other pages that have more images, and you can access even more web pages from there('fantasy','horror', etc). My website is a web of various links, just like the world wide web itself. Just like I have used deviantart to inspire my site, I am allowing others to be inspired by mine. They can be inspired by the culure driven websites that my site links to, or even get inspired by the images and information that my site offers.

I have done quite a bit of my website, but it still needs a lot of work before I can get it just right. To take a peek at it so far click here .

Blog Post 7: Evaluation of Two Articles and Their Arguments

For my newest blog post, I was to read chapter one of the book, It Takes A Village to Find A Phone, and the article Small Change. These two texts draw on similar concepts. The concept of groups coming together to get something accomplished. The first article, It Takes A Village to Find A Phone, talks about a situation in which online blogging and news media became focused on the situation of a stolen phone. It shows how alone, Ivanna and Evan would have never been able to get back the phone (because of threats and police), but with the help of online social networking, the power of the community was able to get the phone back to its rightful owner. In the other article, Small Change, it touches on Activism, and groups coming together before the age of the internet, to protest. It also recalls group activism through the internet nowadays, and how facebook and twitter have brought awareness of social issues to many groups of people. In Small Change, the author argues that social networks like twitter and facebook are no good for social activism. He says that the networks are weak, and the only thing they can accomplish is simply, getting a phone back (in reference to It Takes A Village to Find A Phone). He explains how before, protestors would gain the courage to get some friends involved, and have 'sit-downs' or go out and protest what they are after. This is how many people ended up getting involved, and could solve bigger issues at hand, like allowing 'blacks' to eat at a restaurant. I agree that real-world protesting, that is, outside the internet world, can be much more effective in getting larger social issues abolished; but I do think that the network world can bring together larger groups of people.
On an online network, say Facebook, people can form together in groups, and speak out for social activism. These people generally feel free to speak their mind, compared to the risks of protesting physically in the real world, and possibly getting arrested. I think that the social networking draws a bigger crowd to talk about problems without worrying, but not much can get accomplished if only a few cents is being donated to a charity, or and no one is even moving to sign a petition. More is said, less is done. In the 'real-world' people protest for the environment, politics, rights, etc, and get out there and do everything possible. More can get accomplished this way. However, there was a case, where I would find myself agreeing to the new form of network activism. This case happened not too long ago, where a facebook group was built called Young Drivers Against Ontario Laws, to protest passenger restrictions for drivers under the age of 21. So many yound drivers were appauled by this new law that was about to come into affect and joined the group. Since so many people were in the group and spoke out, the passenger restrictions were removed from the legislation. In this case, I think that the power of the facebook group did an amazing job getting the word out and into the news, in order to take down a law that was not believed in.

In many senses, I agree with both forms of protest, and do not think that Network activism is 'weak'. I think the Internet era is just a new way to allow people to speak their mind, just like we do when we protest in person.

Mini Assignment:Website

Here is my mini assignment for this week. Click here. Here you will find a small website that links to my remix project. Enjoy!

Blog Post 6: Discussion of Yes Men Spoofing Chevron's Ad campaign

 Basics:
For this blog post we were supposed to discuss a short article on Ted Fellow's Blog titled: Chevron Spoofed in a Fantastic Hoax by the Brilliant Yes Men. For me, this article didn't say much at all, except for the fact that there is a group called the Yes Men who spoofed an ad campaign created by the company, Chevron.
I needed more information on this article, so I decided to look-up who the Yes Men are. On their website, I not only found out who they are, but I also saw a blog post about their hoax on the Chevron ad campaign. Apparently, this group of people impersonate large companies in order to humiliate them. They say they target companies who put their profits ahead of anything else. In this case, they are targeting Chevron who has spent $50 million dollars in a 'green' campaign. The Yes Men believe this campaign to be a diversion to the public and media, and that Chevron is really just hiding their 'dirt'. To respond to this, the Yes Men created a spoof -with the help of environmental groups and protesters- to mock the campaign, and create their own. According to the Yes Men blog, all news reports are focusing on Yes Men's fake website and articles, thinking they are really Chevron's. What this means: The Yes Men have successfully created a comedic hoax on a big corporation.
The funny thing is, on Yes Men's blog, it asks for anyone interested in creating mashups, image swaps, collages, remixes of tv productions and web articles, or even rewrites, to submit their work. They are calling on the public to help them mock Chevron; and they are awarding prizes. Just when you thought they couldn't make it any more of a joke.
My reactions:
In all honesty, I think that the Yes Men are a brilliant group of people. This may be an attack on Chevron, but the Yes Men make it so comedic and hysterical that you just can't help but laughing. It is ridiculous, for one, that the Yes Men managed to remix their ad campaign and spend no where near $50 million dollars like Chevron did. That in itself sends out a message; that Chevron could be spending a lot less on campaigning, and more on actually acting towards their campaign for 'greener' energy. I like how protesting has turned into a creative and funny matter through the use of remixing. I think everyone can begin to appreciate this form of protest. They may be mocking companies, but at least they are not violent. I find this form of protest to get across its meaning a lot easier than if it were to be done in a march. The remixed works draw my attention, and the spoof itself is quite funny. I can't help but take the side of Yes Men in this hoax campaign. They are artists.

Blog Post 5: Discussion of Lawrence Lessig's Free Culture: Chapter One

Lawrence Lessig discusses remixing, and how Walt Disney, and Japanese artists have borrowed works from culture to create something new and exciting for the world. He ponders whether borrowing parts of works or ideas is really hurting anyone, or if it is creating something enjoyable to the outside world? For example, he talks about 'doujinshi'; where manga artists create a new manga based on one that is already published and existing. In copyright laws, this is completely illegal, but no one in Japan is doing anything about it because it is so popular, for one, and because there is not enough lawyers to fight against this 'stealing'. Is it a good thing that there are not enough lawyers to bring down the popular 'doujinshi'? Shouldn't everyone be able to use their creativity to create new ideas on existing ones? Artists should be happy that their works are being celebrated and used in our culture. They are an inspiration to the world, and people want to show them this by using their materials creatively.

I think all individuals should be allowed to remix existing works, like Walt Disney has done. It is evident throughout culture that Walt Disney's reflections on historical pieces are popular, because they are recreated in an interesting way. He creates a happy medium with cartoons to make light of serious historical times. People love new and exciting ideas that mash up something that they have seen or heard before.

As long as we are not stealing artworks, but rather taking parts of them to create something new, everyone should be allowed to make use of this free culture. It is art, and art should be enjoyed by all if used in a friendly manner.

Remix Assignment

I finished my remix assignment this morning, so I just thought I would upload it for you. Included here is my first remix image, second remix image, remix video, and all the sources. There is an explanation under each remix. I hope you enjoy them!

First Remix:

Remix Image

In this image, I have juxtaposed two ideas. On the top of the image, I have shown a combine harvesting a corn field. In the distance you can see a silo. In the second image, I have shown a subdivision that has been developed over the existing farm. In the background you see the silo to understand it is in the same place as the farm. There is a for sale sign to reinforce the idea of development and the growing market of home construction. There is a lady checking her phone and holding a basket of corn, almost rotten. In the gutter, there is a lonely corn cob. This represents the loss of cropland, but the need for it at the same time.

Sources
Combine
Field
Silo
Subdivision
Corn Cobs
Corn Cobs 2
Woman
Basket
Gutter

Second Remix:

Remix Image 2

In this remix, I have also juxtaposed ideas, but in a different way from the first remix. The boy is infront of his computer screen, drawing a natural environment, where a beaver has created himself a home(dam) for himself. On the computer screen, you see a landfill with a beaver on top to symbolise the beaver's lost home(dam) and where he must live now. Also amongst the rubbish is the computer screen and harddrive that the boy has at his home. This is to show where his computer will end up afterwards, and how it is effecting the natural environment from which he is drawing.

Sources
Kid with Computer
Landfill
Computer Screen
Hard Drive
Forest (Dam)
Beaver

Remix Video:

Remix Video

In this video, I have created a short storyline. It begins in a forest, where trees are being cut down and taken away by trucks to a factory. The factory smokestacks then pollute the air. The pollution accumulates in the clouds, and it begins to pour acid rain. The rain collects on the street and continues down a manhole, and through a pipe. The pipe leads out to the lake, where the acid rain and pollution mix with clean water. Then a oil rig in the same lake crashes, causing an oil spill. The spill spreads, and kills many fish. You then see a boater fishing in the lake where the oil spill has happened. He catches a fish, brings it home and grills it, and serves it to his family. The video ends when it zooms out to a view of the Earth. This video shows how much damage manmade objects can cause to the environment, and to us. Lakes are polluted, air is polluted, fish die, and we ingest toxins. The music in the video contradicts with the video to make the viewer aware of just how beautiful the world can be without the harm of manmade objects.

Sources (More than one clip was used from some videos, so I left them unnamed)
First Clip
Second Clip
Third Clip
Fourth Clip
Fifth Clip
Sixth Clip
Seventh Clip
Eighth Clip
Ninth Clip
Tenth Clip
Eleventh Clip
Twelveth Clip
Thirteenth Clip
Fourteenth Clip
Fifteenth Clip
Sixteenth Clip
Seventeenth Clip
Eighteenth Clip
Nineteenth Clip
Twentieth Clip
Twenty-First Clip