Topic two: Social distance
One of the biggest topics for this year must be COVID-19, in a way, this huge pandemic changed everyone’s lifestyle. When meeting friends freely became a luxury, the game Animal Crossing went viral on social networks. Both Alina and I are players / fans of this game, we discussed the difference between virtual and real social activities.
Virtual social activities are not very different from real social activities. Things that make people stressed still exist, like comparison, flattery, peer pressure, etiquette...While some people feel lonely and isolated during the quarantine, other people might really find the time free and relaxed.
Idea 1: To build a pair of small installations that enhance the connection between two people staying in two different places. fx: a remote-controlled chair / cup / printer.
remote / interactive / connect people together / wifi
Idea 2: Covid-19 set us apart physically, like the sea-level rise which sets islands apart.
To build an art installation using the islands to represent each person.
installation / pretty visual / something beautiful to look at
Idea 3: Use translucent color acrylic to project shadows on the wall.
installation / pretty visual / something beautiful to look at
Problems:
not very coincide with the social distance topic
to get a good visual effect, we need to make a very detailed AI file
cannot predict the shadow effect (distance, type of light source, brightness, etc) before we get the laser cut parts
Selected
Idea 4: To make an interactive light installation that has several light 'cells'. Each cell will light up when audiences get closer to it and reveal a person's life in the cell. When the light inside is off, the audience can see nothing but a blank light shade.
Progress
Visual Effect Testing
Prototype
Coding
Right now...
We have tested the visual effect and made the decision for the final material choice. Now we are collecting references and building the space for each 'cell'. Ideally, we want them to have different characteristics. In terms of coding, we successfully tested a light bulb controlled by a distance sensor through a relay, but still waiting for the light bulb socket to come so it fits into the prototype.