With the Brooklyn exhibition around the corner I had to make some sharp turns. The Kickstarter rewards were partially fulfilled, others are almost done and had pushed to the back burner until other critical issues were dealt with.
A new unit was designed, again programmed from an Arduino. An additional shield controls play/record details (the sound-corder chip on the original unit came with its own board), and the original sensors were scrapped for a new binocular one. The sound is transferred from the computer rather than recorded from the jack output and is contained on a micro chip. A card reader with a USB input transfers the data file.
One was applying to a series of grants and festivals. That's a venture into uncertainty but one that must be undertaken nonetheless. The work has to get out there so venues are constantly being explored; since this is a work meant for public viewing, many of the exhibition spaces are awarded through competition.
However, front and center was resolving the electronics.
Best efforts from my team for the first show yielded something that worked, but not dependably. Although Dr. Marantz is researching what is behind the inconsistencies and exploring a redesign to nail a two-sensor input and a single output, I had to face facts that we all have many pressing issues (called jobs) that get in the way of dedicating a large block of undisturbed time to come up with a new circuit.
So I got a new engineer.
A new unit was designed, again programmed from an Arduino. An additional shield controls play/record details (the sound-corder chip on the original unit came with its own board), and the original sensors were scrapped for a new binocular one. The sound is transferred from the computer rather than recorded from the jack output and is contained on a micro chip. A card reader with a USB input transfers the data file.
It all fits in a box the size of a fat cigarette (what's that?) pack. The engineer delivered the new unit yesterday, and luckily the IRS owed me money so I could pay him off.
Complain, complain: I'm miffed at myself for not specifying black wires to the IR sensor (they're white and red), so I have to shrink wrap those before show time.
The engineer who designed and built the new units has a company of his own called Human Condition Global. They're all over the map with many different types of projects bound together by user interaction.
Recently, they developed an informational piece for a pharmaceutical company to introduce a new medication for those suffering from heart ailments and hypertension. They did so by outfitting a moving van trailer with booths and chairs, and flatscreen monitors. Each station also contains devises designed to effectively deliver the physical sensations of an oncoming heart condition such as a heart attack, angina or heart failure. The experiential exhibit's target audience are physicians who often never experienced these sensations. The trailer went to cities across the country where cardiologists were invited to "experience" what their patients suffer and the opportunity to learn about a new medication to combat the condition.
Back to Brooklyn, where anything of any significance seems to be taking place.
The Gowanus Ballroom will show SIS in June; the date still being up in the air since the show preceding it may need a week to linger. I met with the curator last week and the space for SIS would be the entry, separated from the doorway and rest of the cavernous, two-tiered space by some heavy curtains. The curtains will be the same black rayon felt I got in a tiny store across from FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) that hid the mass of wires exploding out of the units in the Trenton show.
I was introduced to a possible rigging engineer outside the college where I teach yesterday. In a few brief sentences I described what I needed, and the barrage of emails will begin again. I want to bring the Trenton guys back, but I don't think I can afford them and I'm close to being tapped. I sure wish I could bartend, though I don't have the looks. Just the dirty jokes. I guess another Kickstarter (heh, heh).
Next chapter, coming right up!
Recently, they developed an informational piece for a pharmaceutical company to introduce a new medication for those suffering from heart ailments and hypertension. They did so by outfitting a moving van trailer with booths and chairs, and flatscreen monitors. Each station also contains devises designed to effectively deliver the physical sensations of an oncoming heart condition such as a heart attack, angina or heart failure. The experiential exhibit's target audience are physicians who often never experienced these sensations. The trailer went to cities across the country where cardiologists were invited to "experience" what their patients suffer and the opportunity to learn about a new medication to combat the condition.
Back to Brooklyn, where anything of any significance seems to be taking place.
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| The Gowanus Ballroom's main space |
I was introduced to a possible rigging engineer outside the college where I teach yesterday. In a few brief sentences I described what I needed, and the barrage of emails will begin again. I want to bring the Trenton guys back, but I don't think I can afford them and I'm close to being tapped. I sure wish I could bartend, though I don't have the looks. Just the dirty jokes. I guess another Kickstarter (heh, heh).
Next chapter, coming right up!
