For the final project at Fab Academy 2020, I intend to create a work with a name, “Hymn For The Jungle.” It is a space – with a size of 1 square meter – with Human Computer Interface System that provides each member of the audience with the experience of the immersion into the jungle. There will be a system of interactions between the participant’s brainwaves conditions, and each of the sensors in the jungle that directly relates to one of the five senses. This “jungle” is inspired by the “sensory room” that soothes every individual, especially those who are relatively more sensitive to their surroundings, sensory stimuli, and changes around them. The work is initiated because for us humans to ground ourselves to listen to our inner voice, rather than being confused by external voices and standards, I believe that we do need a space of our own – or, a jungle of our own – to relax and feel ourselves as part of something bigger than ourselves as an individual. In abstract words, I want the audience (participants) to feel the unity of them and the world, in the midst of flourishing diversity of every existence in the universe. This will begin with recognizing our exhausted, yet alive, five-senses in the sensory-room-like jungle. Jungles are immersive by nature, with the feeling of engulfing in us into something bigger than us, the nature. Therefore, I have decided to use the feeling made by a swamp and marsh. To increase the feeling of being engulfed and immersed, I have decided to use a net instead of the floor for the ground part of the jungle. I have a trampoline net in mind, but with a wider knitting size like a tennis net. Furthermore, the “jungle” is about relaxing and soothing our five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. There will be a system of interactions between the participant’s brainwaves conditions, and each of the sensors in the jungle that directly relates to one of the five senses. Because I think it will take some time on working on each sensor and connecting it to the whole system, I have decided to focus on 3 senses only. They are auditory, texture, and visual. Depending on the participant’s sensory condition – measured by the brain wave sensors embedded in a wearable elf crown – each sensor will generate a soothing sensory experience in the Human Computer Interference System. a) Auditory • Humming • Ceremony chant/song by a shaman • Water gently flowing • Fire – the sound of campfire • Air – the sound of harmonica that meets the wind in a driving car. • Air – Wuthering Heights wind sound • Soil – earth footsteps in bare foot. • (speaker coming from the ground underneath the net) b) Texture / movement • Swamp • Marsh – tighter or looser (changes in the tightness of the net) • Swing • Spin • (a place to hide) c) Visual • Lighting • UV light area • Omi Reflex • Fluorescent • Fibre optics • Light projections of ancient mural The sensors that detect changes in brain waves will be embedded in a designed elf crown. The purpose of this design is to let the audience know that they are in control and that they can lead their experience, with being aware of their own changing conditions and the activities in the Default Mode Network (DMN) that deals with the meditative state of mind, wondering, daydreaming, relaxing and imagination in their brain. In a word, there will be two main things in the project: a jungle-like space, and a crown that measures brain waves. Drawings are shown below.
I have researched others' projects that are somewhat related to the idea of sensory experience, theatrical structure, and technological ideas.
This final project will be greatly aided by the classes: Embedded Programming (March 18th), Electronics Design (March 4th), Network and Communications (April 29th), Interface and Application Programming (March 6th), along with all other Fab Lab classes.
Parts of the Jungle
Component name
Estimated cost
Details
Overall structure
Elastic-bend net
9,000 Korean Won
1.
Come from: TEXEL, Italy
Cloth
0 Korean Won
Refabricate second-hand cloth and cotton sheets.
Wood (for cnc)
Funded by Fab Academy.
Come from: ?Local area
3d Printer
0
Used for joints design, and optical fiber lamp holder.
Come from: (filament) Japan
Sensory experience
Projector (rental)
2,9000 Korean Won
2.
Come from: ?
Optical Fiber
5,500
3.
Come from: China
Speaker
My own speaker
Fluorescent Paints
2,7000
4.
Come from: SPEEDBALL ART, India
WIFI
My own, or funded by Fab Academy
Laptop/desktop
My own
Option: Bluetooth slate
10,000
HC-06
Sensor
Option a) Brain wave
14,600
Personally bought
5.
Come from: OLIMEX
Option b) Brain wave circuit board
71,450
6.
Come from: THINKGEAR
Switch circuit board * 2
Weight (pressure) sensor
Option: Ultrasonic wave
-
Circuit board
Micro controller
Usually 60,000 per one Arduino mega
How will it be evaluate? Criterion A: Planning
Marks
Description
1-2
3-4
5-6
An appropriate scenario for investigation for an identified user(s), providing evidence of consultation, is described. The rationale for choosing the proposed project is justified and includes a range of appropriate criteria for evaluating the success of the project.
The record of tasks and the design overview, including an outline test plan, are detailed and complete. From this information it is clear how the project was developed.
1-4
5-8
9-12
The use of techniques demonstrates a high level of complexity and ingenuity in addressing the scenario (or movement flow) identified in criterion A. It is characterized by the appropriate use of existing tools and techniques learned throughout the Fab Academy 2020. The techniques are adequate for the task and their use is explained. All sources are identified.
The video shows that the project functions well. Some expansion and modifications of the product are straightforward.
The product is fully evaluated against the success criteria identified in criterion A including feedback from the user/adviser. Recommendations for further improvement of the project are realistic.
This section is for recording the key takeaways and milestones in the process of developing and improving this final project, “Hymn For The Jungle.” • It is important to imagine and plan the “experience” that the final object/space will provide the users/audience – in my case, through a system of interactions. • There are ways to actualize the idea of a system of the network/interactions. Examples are WIfi, IoT, embedded technologies, etc.
The table shown below is used for tracking my progress throughout the weeks in Fab Academy in Seoul. I referred to the table made by one of the FA students (Léon) in other country. :)