Reflective essay

My final approach differed dramatically from my initial concept once I realized the power of processings external libraries. Taking a step away from using physical components discussed in my original design idea, I opted to replace multiple input sensors with a web cam. In my blog I have looked at several different software implementations; blob detection, OpenCV, video libraries with thresholds, background subtraction, and finally JMyron.

The software route was definitely far more versatile than trying to hard wire my project. I have to accept that my finally product will be closer to the physical computing world than this prototype, as an Led matrix with a backpack may not be the most suitable item to embed in clothing when such a large panel of Led’s is required.

This approach has allowed me the time and flexibility to investigate a wide variety of methods, which have opened my eyes to the possibilities created for digital artists through the use of these open source technologies.

I focused on the JMyron sketch from http-//www.bryanchung.net/?p=177 because it was so close to what I wanted to accomplish. He had basically done most of the work for me, all I needed to do was adapt the code for the Led board I have, which proves more difficult than I thought.

The other sketches were simplifying the camera image using various algorithms, but Bryan Chungs was the only sketch to transform the live feed into an 8*8 matrix and to communicate with an Led matrix through the Arduino; this is essentially what I have been striving to achieve.

What my board allowed which Brian Chungs did not, was the representation to be displayed in multi-colours. If the Led colours could be manipulated to reflect brightness, or real world colour as seen through the eye of the camera, then this would enhance my product tremendously.

Where this sketch failed was the clarity of the representation of the image, which is an element that I would like to continue improving. I could make out the fingers on my hand at close range. This is something that the other methods achieved better, but they had better resolutions to work with. It would be interesting to see how much more recognizable imagery would be when the amount of Leds was increased. It is worth researching in the future, how I could achieve the best of both worlds, as an accurate a silhouette as possible would be advantageous.

 Further to this, I decided to undertake the recreation of the scrolling text exhibited by Barbara Layne in her very impressive exhibitions of interactive LED clothing mentioned in my introduction essay. This was not a critical part of my ambition for the project outlined in my introduction yet I feel it was a significant achievement in the prototyping phase.

Daniel Rozin’s tangible technology displays, “The Mirrors collection”, Gerhard Sengmuller’s “Parallel image”, and Jim Campbell Low resolution digital imagery, have inspired me from a technical point of view.  My product is tangible media in the sense that it is not only the wearer who feels connected to it, but also people in the immediate environment as it reacts to there presence in close to real time. That connection between people is what makes the idea work in my opinion. This aspect draws curiosity and it is this quality that delivers the messages.

From a more theoretical viewpoint I refer to documentary films that I have become very fond of in recent years. “The Cove”, about an the man who trained “Flipper”, Ric O’Barry, and his quest to save dolphins in Japan, was where I took the example emblem for my mock up and scrolling text. People who make documentaries have a passion for conveying messages that they think the public need to be made aware of. Allowing people to express themselves on an individual level, and most importantly passively, I think has a lot of power.

 The Free Art & Technology web site was also an interesting website at http://fffff.at/. I guess defying capitalism is at the heart of all open source technologies and using them to this end is very suitable in away.

Open source technology is important for keeping the opportunity open to the masses, to express themselves creatively and in turn drive innovation.

Personally I feel quite strongly about a number of social and environmental issues and feel that certain things aren’t given enough coverage in the media. The media can be a source of distraction from real issues but at the very same time be the key instrument in public awareness. I am proud of the strong British heritage of good documentary filmmaking, but what are often overlooked in our society is the individuals right to freedom of expression. Demonstrator’s rights have been a cause for concern recently with various anti-terror laws hacking away at our civil liberties. There are reasons for peoples safety that these laws have been deemed necessary, although its always a moral dilemma trying to justify the erosion of the civil rights our elders have fought to keep. What I am perhaps looking at is alternative methods to demonstrating. T-shirts have been a key means of transmission of beliefs in modern culture, and I really think they work. If you see some one wearing a shirt displaying something meaningful you are impelled to take a step back and look. For one this person feels strongly enough about the cause to make an example of them selves. My clothing takes it a step further by not only lighting up but also allowing that ever-important interactive aspect.

Reiterating on what I said earlier, putting consideration into how the product is produced is important given the nature of my project. Keeping it Green is essential from an ethical stance; it should also be as low on energy as possible; and made from recycled products.

An after thought about what the clothing should be allowed to display and whether it should be restricted due to the possibility of people being gratuitous; I think this would go against what the shirt stands for; freedom of expression. It may get abused but that’s part of the beauty of it, it is a reflection of your own persona.

Although thoroughly enjoying the challenge set before me with my first project in Arduino and Processing, I fell short of the challenge of creating a representation of a silhouette using Leds. My research has shown that it can be done. I like to create art that has a larger purpose than purely aesthetics, and this project allowed me to do just that.