My task this week was the come up with an idea/bill/drawing/timeline/overall PLAN for what my physical computation final would be. This wasn't super easy, of course. In fact, it was really really tough. At first I wanted to do something with water, sand or other natural materials, but I couldn't decide what I wanted them to do (I really liked the cosmos in the water from the 2017 winter show but wanted to put a different twist on that kind of interaction with water).
At the end of the day my inspiration came from another ITP alum, Jayoung Chung. In this video she showcases an interactive installation where participants use their bodies to conduct electricity and complete a circuit, which turns on a light and plays some audio and such.
I really, really love this idea of using bodies as the switches to turn on electronics, because it is innately interactive and also involves other people. So, my idea is to design a system where participants use their bodies to complete a circuit, like in Jayoung's work, which turns on the circuits that power different water jets and LED lights.
Knowing I have four weeks, I want to spend the first week (possibly two) perfecting the construction of a circuit that can be completed when people hug/hold hands/etc. I can work on using that as a switch to power something very simple, like an LED light. Once I know that works, I can construct the installation it will power, which if I have plenty of time will be light and water based or if I have less time will just utilize one or the other.
As far as materials go, I've emailed Jayoung and Yiyao to see what kind of things they used for their projects, which hopefully will give me a pretty good idea of what I need to go out and buy.
Comments? Questions? Concerns? Email me here!