Day 3: July 17, 2010

Activities:

  1. Project discussions
  2. Refinement of 'Gesture Warden Avatar'
  3. Electronics marketplace visit

Project Discussions:

  • Experimental film by David Rimmer - Variations On A Cellophane Wrapper (1970)
  • Stringing together of gestures into a graphic language, to form a narrative (e.g. Xu Bing's work - http://www.xubing.com)
  • Observed large physical scale of gallery spaces in the Chao Chang Di district -- how do we utilize this scale for our installation?
  • Discussed use of abstraction in physical aspect of our piece -- Jim cited translating audio into wave-like movement of bushes, as an example - however, Judith expressed caution concerning high degrees of abstraction, which could cause piece to be too removed from the content
  • Restaurant sounds might be interesting samples to collect (clamor of patrons, sounds of dishes and chopsticks being used)
  • Making the invisible visible - referencing the 'opposite space' (e.g. Beijing, in relation to Toronto gallery space), via data feed from that space
  • Labour and gesture:
    • Transformation of labour/ labour 'force' into data feeds, which can drive action/ behaviours in the virtual world (e.g. Second Life)
    • Harvesting of 'residue' from physical labour conducted at various locations in Beijing (factories, construction sites, restaurants, malls)
  • What kind of data can we harvest?
    • e.g. Triggered each time a widget comes off the assembly line
    • e.g. Accelerometer data from labour-related activities
    • Possible physical gestures that can be harvested: Sowing, assembly line, noodle-making, tai chi/ morning exercises, recycling of waste energy

Refinement of 'Gesture Warden Avatar':

Modified appearance of the avatar to suit the goals of the prototype:

  • Removed mist script and avatar clothing: avatar's limbs must be fully visible, to make gestures apparent
  • Adjusted body and facial proportions to render the avatar as gender- and race-neutral as possible (using a female avatar model proved most effective)
  • Changed body colour to white, in order to maximize contrast between body and a dark background

    View images of Gesture Warden avatar

Electronics Marketplace Visit:

Images:

References: (Websites, Publications)

Projects:

Variations On A Cellophane Wrapper (1970)
Director: David Rimmer
Sound: Don Druick
http://www.ubu.com/film/rimmer.html

Websites:

Xu Bing Website
http://www.xubing.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xu_Bing

Tao Bao
Online retailer that sells various robotics products
http://www.taobao.com
http://taobaofieldguide.com/

Contacts:

Zhongguancun e-Plaza/ Ke Mao Dashi
(Zhong Guan Cun electronics shopping area,
close to Wudaokou subway station)
http://www.beijing-visitor.com/index.php?cID=422&pID=1303