The Softness of Things
Week 2, Build a Module

Our challenge this week was to build a module. I liked how Despina
pointed out modules can come in many forms: poetry, video, even
the patterns in camoflage are a type of module. Despina also said our
modules will likely be reused later in the course, so preparing something
useful might be a good idea.

Module, making a module's easy! Right. Not exactly.

A module is a base element, something which is useful to create other
objects. As such it should be simple and easy to construct. There are
many, many modules in the world, but coming up with a new one isn't near
as easy as building something out of existing modules. It is sort of
like coming up with a new spice. A trip to MOMA cleared my mind. I was
standing around a collection of Picasso's, where crowd density tends to
be higher. I thought, if I were a canvas, what would I think of these
people?

people drift by
I see them looking at me
some of them glance,
pretending to understand my complexities.
others are just timid
I see thoughts racing
but their minds couldn't be further from me.



This could be one interpretation. Thus the idea of using a canvas
as a module came to mind. I could paint on it, add light, and place it
unbiquitously almost anywhere. But it can't just be a canvas. It needs to be
wired. By stealthly inserting dual ground, power and data lines around
the outside of the canvas I have maintained its simple beauty and extended its
functionality as a module. I thank Despina for her excellent idea of
prewiring, as she does with fabric to prepare flexible infrastuructre for
creators to add digital value.



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-- Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:02 -0400

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