During our master’s degree we had the chance to work on a project in the Deep Space at the Ars Electronica Center. This possibility brought up interesting ideas, new dimensions and unique challenges. The goal was to create a generative arts application which encourages users to interact with the room.
- Collaborators: Marlene Mayr, Lisa Mittermair
- Software: Processing, Java
- Hardware: Deep Space 8K
- My Task Areas: Concept, Flocking, Game States, Software Architecture
Concept
Deep Space lacks sunlight and is usually very dark. When the lights are turned off for presentations, the only light source is the projection wall itself. In this project we want to use an energy source to illuminate the space bit by bit. The source can be fed by players which results in more light-emitting particles on the wall. In the perfect whiteout, the full extent of the 16x9m area is used to light up the space purely by reflection. The users and the audience can notice the gradual change from the black, dark beginning.
Interacting players either attract or repel particles, which challenges them to balance the forces. The users’ interactions with the tracking system on the floor influence the energy source. Consequently, the wall is filled with generative patterns and an increasing amount of white space, which is accompanied with a changing soundscape.
