What'cha Gon' Do?

After a lot of brainstorming and discussion, me (Jeff Graham) and Robyn Murphy have finally decided on a final project for our Physical Computing class. Since we have two large technology based projects due this semester (this one, and one for Wieslaw) we have decided to combine both to create a large installation piece. In our blog entries we'll save you the extra reading, and only discuss the physical computing aspects of our project. ;)

We have decided that the main artistic focus of our project is to create a GPS drawing. We found this technique to be particularly interesting as it is a fusion of art and technology which we felt to be very New Media-esque. We will be creating a GPS drawing of the path below:


Does that look like a turtle? Ehh...? we think it does! Upon completing the drawing, we plan on creating a large sculpture of the path which will be lined with approximately 100 LED's. We hope to use the 4017 circuit, or the basic stamp to have the lights illuminate in a sequence to show the path in which we walked to complete the GPS drawing. We will be suspending this sculpture from the ceiling in our space. In Norm's words, we are "ambitious!"

Along with the suspended object, we plan to construct a screen and project a video behind the sculpture. The video will show footage of our path, information on GPS drawing, among other things.

We really liked this idea and how it blends art and technology together, GPS drawing is a relatively new practice that most people probably won't know much about, so we hope that by creating an installation piece and presenting some visuals to attract the viewers attention, they me become interested in learning more, and we hope that the viewer will find it as interesting as we do!