Metaform Research

People often ask me, "What is a Metaform?"

Before considering what Metaform to make, I'd like to ponder its definition.

From Dana's class syllabus:

"The field of architecture is constantly in search of new species of
form. Most recent technological movements and capacities are utilized
in this pursuit. The increased presence and prominence of new media in
the context of architecture justifies a separate study of the forms that
arise at the intersection of the two fields. Such generalized entities
can be regarded as Metaforms."

I think of a Metaform as a technological structure.

... where technology refers to incorporated electronics, or the use of
technology to reach the end structure.

Metaforms do relate to the realm of architecture, but many do not
originate from it. I believe the "new media" incorporated into
architecture and "new media art" are very different. "New media" in
architecture should have the goal of promoting the usability of that
space. The user of the building is the consumer of the Metaform, or
"new media". When the artist creates "new media", it is not necessarily
for the consumer of the space, but instead serves as the carrier of the
artists message. Are you building a Metaform for the users of the
space, or as a medium? (warning, rant: Too many architects are
approaching their work as artists; using the term is fine, but please
balance your concepts and your clients needs.)

Here are few examples of work by an acquaintance, Adam Somlai-Fischer:

Distributed Projection Structure

This piece is part visual, part interactive. The structure consists of
300 physical pixels, the technology projection and ultrasonic
sensors. There is the aesthetic of the form, and the content. The
form is permanent, the content modifiable.

Sorry for Taking Your Mirrors

From the site: "The exhibition called 'Sorry for Taking Your Mirrors'
talks about new ways of creating spaces which are 'high-tech' and
'low-tech' at the same time: they are interactive, responsive, can
physically change to accommodate various functions over time, but are
built form reused everyday objects, which are readily available around
the world. We are interested in architectural research into
technological spaces that are low cost, enabling and welcoming."

Both of these pieces are more about creating space, and how they do so
in a new way, than the content of their message.

My Metaform will serve as a medium, to be a vehicle for many purposes.
The Metaform must contain structure and technology. It will be built
for the body. Let us considering Joanna Berzowska's classification of
her work at XS Labs.
- Animated Textiles
- Memory Rich Clothing
- Shape-Change Garments
- Modular Systems
- Reconfigurable Power Substrates
- Augmenting the Body

Different textile types:
- Shielding (EMF)
- Anti-Static
- Heat Resistant
- Heatable
- Intelligent Textiles
... amongst others

One textile, which does not really exist yet but should, is one that
moves. Skorpions definitely is a move in that direction, however it is
not a textile. I think Marcelo is continuing his work with nitinol, so
maybe we'll be seeing some interesting textiles emerging from MIT.

I am thinking of approaching movement in textiles in two manners. One
is by adding a framework to a roll of fabric, so that all the necessary
infrastructure is in place; designers simply cut and add movement to their
pieces. The other is to establish a set of rules and techniques for
defining adding movement to fabric. I think in either case, research
into the later is essential for moving forward with the former, so I will
start there. Starting points:
- how to attach the motor, other method of movements
- dealing with torque, weak fabric
- adding other infrastructure
- magnets
- porosity factor

other notes...

There is also interesting research at MIT about PAN's,
or Personal Area Networks. This stuff is from 1995.

- Syncing body functions

A study of making various bodily functions, such as heartbeat, visible,
and how doing so may create a visual bio-biofeedback system. Not
limited to individual observance, there is also the possibility of
passive interaction by people in close proximity.

-- Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:43 -0400
...

Big Screens Proposal

I am making a big decision for big screens:

processing vs. openframeworks
eclipse vs. xcode

For now, I am choosing openframeworks and xcode. I think when push
comes to shove in processing power and serial i/o, OF will out perform
processing. My work with OF began using xcode, so that's what I'll stick
with. However, in both cases I will be loosing out in terms of
knowledge and support from ITP.


I have several concrete ideas for my Big Screens project. For the most
central part, the graphics, I am still at a loss. First, I'll write a
bit about what I know, and work from there.

I would like to incorporate wearables into the project. This means
using xbee for wireless data transfer, and it means including people in
the audience in some type of interaction. This continues my central
focus: how enhancing garments can effect human interaction.

Brainstorming began by considering the interaction rather than the
visuals. The first interaction that came to mind was having groups in
the audience hold hands, and the number of people holding hands affect
the graphics on screen. After talking a bit with Eric Rosenthal,
however, I have learned measuring the number of people will be nigh
impossible as resistance from person to person varies. I could use the
length of time hands were held in the circle, however, I think it might
be best to move away from this idea. As Alex Abreu mentioned last
night, who knows how quickly people will hold hands, or how long they
will do so? It is a huge uncontrollable unknown.

The second idea, and I'm not quite sure where it came from, is to sew
two (or more) conductive fabric patches to a jacket. They will be in
the shape of hands, outlined in color thread. By placing your hands on
the jumpsuit, a circuit will be completed and your biological impedance
measured. This could be a metaphor for many things, a transfer of part
of the person or their aura, the interaction between the jacket wearer
and person touching, and so on. I like the idea of everyone having a
somewhat unique "signature" which is entered into the system, the sum
total being displayed on this massive screen.

Mind you, I am not insane
(which is probably what you're thinking right now)

For the garments, I will enlist the help of Laura Moore and a student or
two. For graphics design I will have the help of Yutaka Kitamura, a
friend studying at IAMAS (a school like ITP) in Japan.

That leaves all software/hardware/overall production to me, but I think
I can handle it. Now, back to graphics. I've had thoughts about a
sustainability theme. Trickling water, which grows to gushing river as
more people hold hands... a little cliched and direct for our audience?
As was AlexA's advice... To use generated 2/3D graphics or shot footage?


affinity suit
touched by strangers


Two figures, dressed in hand-marked jumpsuits, represent a human
physical interface to the composition. When audience members touch the
"interface" with both hands, completing a circle, part of them enters the
system, transforming into a blooming flower on screen. What will your
flower look and sound like? Touched by Strangers is an exploration of
communicating with machines through a human interface, where the
audiences biometric artifacts shapes the scene for the evening.

The key to success is not in visual granularity, but the skillful use of
responsive interactivity and audio.

Also, am I really utilizing the "Big Screen"?

Fingers Dress by Joanna Berzowska.
I am imagining a jumpsuit, with fewer hands in a less suggestive manner.





We start with nothing,
ah, after the "if you have a pacemaker, please stay away" warning.



Enter our mediators.



People touch the mediators.



Sound and graphics are generated from their touch and body signature.
Audio is generated by the audio system, not their bodies.



Yutaka and I just had an excellent conversation.
We may use his flower pieces for the video.
Perhaps do something a bit more fractal.

I think a central theme of the conversation was: what is the main
concept of the piece? The fragile nature of human communication? Which
can also be displayed through withering flowers? Why to flowers bloom?
How to flowers and poeple relate? What is the meaning of the poses?
How do different cultures approach touch? How will we use sound? How
can show an over-laying concept without be overt?

-- Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:58 -0400
...

This semester I'll be helping Laura Moore, master seamstress and
professor at Pratt Institute, develop a course for her students next
year titled, "Fashion for the Future". Laura did wonderful work with v2
of Butterfly Dress and also collaborated with Allistar and Meng Li on
Gazelena.

In the past six months, several interesting books on wearables have been
released, so to keep up-to-date and evaluate them for potential use in
the course, I'm making a few purchases.

Fashionable Technology
by Sabine Seymour

Fashioning Technology: A DIY Intro to Smart Crafting
by Syuzi Pakhchyan

Extreme Textiles: Designing for High Performance
by Matilda McQuaid

Another good book for inspiration (perhaps not technical detail) which you
can find in the library.

Techno Textiles 2: Revolutionary Fabrics for Fashion and Design
by Sarah E. Braddock Clarke and Marie O'Mahony

-- Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:46 -0400
...

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