ITP: Metaforms

Please see Dana's Metaforms syllabus for details on our class.

A Metaform is a technological structure.

My final presentation on Dynamic Folds went well. Karla suggested I
make the whole structure larger, which is a great idea I intend to
explore. So far everything is this simple self contained white silk
piece, in which subtle folds and creases develop.



Here are a few photos from museum visits. The organic copper was quite
impressive.













-- Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:57 -0500

The prototype sewable board and motor shaft
attachment turned out wonderfully. Now it's time to play! More photos.

-- Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:24 -0500

A year ago in Spatial Design I had an idea for breathing buildings, or
how great it would be to visualize using fabric and light. Well, back
to that idea as an implementation of Dynamic Folds. This time around, I
plan to build it. Also, this time around the breathing is related to
the electricity use of the building.

A fairly large space spanning three walls on a corner will be covered in
fabric. This fabric will move inward and outward slowly, over a period
of one to two minutes for example. The higher the energy consumption,
the faster the breathing occurs. Breathing is visualized through the
contraction of the fabric into the corner of the room. Not only will it
simply contract, but the soft flow of the fabric will transform into
vivid lines, as if being pulled from multiple points. Slowly, the
fabric will expand back out, easing into rest state.

For the people in the space, say in an office, a sense of their overall
energy use will become apparent over time. Also, the only way to effect
the breathing will be to coordinate in numbers to effect energy
consumption. The goal is also to convey the sense the building is
"alive".

Structure to inspire sustainable coordinated effort.



-- Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:02 -0500

I enjoyed a visit to 11 Rivington to see Hilary Berseth's work. The
pieces above were my favorite. Not a huge fan of the bee sculptures.
The organic forms the copper took, however, were fascinating.

-- Tue, 05 Nov 2008 14:27 -0500

Dynamic Folds

Wednesday was our midterm presentations for Metaforms. While the class ran
over four hours, I think everyone gave excellent presentations. Regretfully I
was unable to attend the after party, but these international flights do that
to you. I liked Daewha's frank suggestion of get conceptual - what if you had
a 1,000 people wearing temperature sensors in a space and did something with
that? My thinking has been focused on a single piece. Of the three I focused
on, I think controlling the environment via your body temperature is most
interesting, so I will continue down that route. I am considering returning to
my year old idea of breathing buildings - visualizing the internals of the
building locally. I think I'll start by draping fabric in my room and see
where that takes me...

Here is an excellent quote from the NYT:

http://nymag.com/arts/art/features/51352/

The 1960 film Macario, in which the protagonist hallucinates that every
person on Earth is represented by a flickering candle, influenced the
artist's concept of memorialization. "You see the remains of people
who have left their hearts behind."

-- Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:17 -0400

In a crowded indoor setting those present are bound to perceive the
ambient temperature differently. The man wearing a suit may be hot, the
person in a t-shirt may be cold and a third person just right. Not only
are our body temperatures unique, our metabolism, age, and hormonal
balance effects our basal body temperature. This is a problem
unsolvable by climate settings in a public space, but somewhat
controllable via clothing. Air circulation is the most efficient way
our body controls temperature. By radiating heat into the air, or
raising hair follicles to trap air and slow escaping warmth, most body
heat is gained or lost via radiation and convection. My metaform
focuses on creating an ideal shape for air circulation around the body,
which is adaptable through movement, to fluxuating ambient and basal
body temperature requirements.

There are four pieces I need to develop in order to realize this project.
1. a board to stabilize and attach the motor to the fabric
2. a clip or mechanism to hold the motor in place
3. a suitable attachment for the motor shaft
4. attachment mechanism for wire to clothes

Here are a few beginning sketches... (of horrible quality, my apologies)







Draping
Cape?
magnets

Measuring basal body temperature accurately and non-invasively is
difficult. If the goal is to read subtle changes in real-time, rectal
readings are best but hardly realistic. Due to these difficulties, I
will measure the temperature around the wearers body.

The cape itself will visually represent the temperature felt by the
wearer. When comfortable, dark shades are draped, as the body warms,
vibrant pinks are revealed.

keywords: airflow shape movement motion cape drape

-- Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:38 -0400

In studying the body I decided to focus on mechanisms which are not
consciously controlled, but are directly effected by the environment.
Body temperature in particular caught my attention. First of all, here
is a visualization of several factors which relate to an increase or
decrease in body temperature.



Now to a bit of nitty gritty.

Basal body temperature. The average is quoted at 98.6, which comes from
a German doctor's research in the 1850's. Today the medical community
has adjusted the temperature to 98.2, plus or minus 0.5 degrees
depending on the person. Babies are warmer than adults, maintaining a
body temperature over 99 degrees until age 3 when it starts to decrease,
leveling out after 13. As you become eldery (over 80) your average body
temperature typically decreases.

Metabolism. The higher your metabolism the higher your body
temperature. When you are cold your metabolism increases to compensate,
raising your body temperature. On average, African-Americans have lower
metabolism than Caucasian-Americans. Japanese also have lower
metabolism than Caucasians, and a lower body temperature, as much as 1.8
degrees. 90% of your metabolic energy is spent in maintaining body
temperature. If your metabolism is low your body will have more
difficulty compensating, requiring you to take action by wearing more
clothes.

Hormones. Estrogen helps in keeping your body temperature down.
Progesterone increases it. Thus the change in body temperature during
ovulation. Women experience hot flashes during menopause due to
hormonal change. Testosterone, like estrogen aids in keeping body
temperature down. Mechanisms in body temperature regulation and
hormones vary between men and women.

Brain. The hypothalamus controls body temperature. Specifically the
anterior hypothalamic nucleus is responsible. Receptors on your skin
and near major arteries informs the hypothalamus of environmental
temperature so compensation can be coordinated. Your body will
acclimate to change in climate completely after 10 to 24 days.

Environment. The ideal temperature is between 77 and 80 degrees. When
the skin is colder than 77 degrees or warmer than 80 the body will
initiate a reaction. These temperatures are relative to your average
body temperature. If you have a lower body temperature your body will
attempt to compensate at a correspondingly lower temperature; if you
have a below average body temperature a 77 degree room will feel cold
while others are comfortable. Body fat acts as an insulator, keeping
heat in.

Most of your body heat is lost through radiation. If you put your body
in the center of a highly reflective sphere you would recapture most of
the expended heat/radiation. The viscosity of your blood changes as
your blood vessels dilate and shrink to maintain a constant temperature.
Goosebumps, the stage before shivering, raise your hair follicles to
trap air, creating insulation to keep you warm. If you walked around
unclothed you would need 42% more food to maintain body temperature.

Sources:

Human Adaptation and Accommodation, by A. Roberto Frisancho
The Second Skin, by Marilyn J. Horn

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/normal_body_temperature.htm
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/LenaWong.shtml
http://scienceline.org/2008/01/02/ask-jiang-bodytemperature/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_body_temperature
http://www.wdxcyber.com/nmood12.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothalamus
http://anthropology.si.edu/humanorigins/faq/race.htm
http://www.tamagoya.ne.jp/potechi/2004/20040106.htm
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen01/gen01639.htm


I also did more research on textiles. Here is the best listing of
textile research I've found yet:

sensors/actuators
- photo-sensitive materials
- fiber-optics
- conductive polymers
- thermal sensitive materials
- shape memory materials
- intelligent coating/membrane
- mechanical responsive materials
- microcapsules
- micro & nano materials

for signal transmission
- neural network & control systems
- cognition theory and systems

for integrated processes
- wearable electronics & photonics
- adaptive and responsive structures
- biomimetics
- bioprocessing
- tissue engineering
- chemical/drug releasing

Not mentioned above are biodegradable (by the body) shape polymers for
subcutaneous use.

I wasn't aware of it, but FBG's (fiber Bragg grating), are being heavily
researched. Basically, fiber is woven into a material, say around a
shirt, then changes in light are measured to detect impact, breaks,
bending, etc.

Source

Smart Fibers, Fabrics and Clothing, edited by Xiaoming Tao

Finally, a question for Jono Podborsek:

I can see emergent forms in iSaw, as two forces interact; in the end a
solid form is the result of your creative process. Do you imagine
emergent forms developing naturally or dynamically after construction?

-- Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:10 -0400

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

Interview for a friend on staff at Herzog & de Meuron

Let's see how long it takes for him to get back to me...

1. How did you come to work at Herzog & de Meuron?

2. What projects have you been involved in, and at what capacity?

3. Please tell us what working at the office is like.

4. How much do you feel you contribute to the design and concept of a
project, as opposed to developing what was already laid out?

5. What was the most difficult part of working on the Olympic Stadium in
Beijing?

6. How do you feel about the government's plans for use of the stadium
post-Olympics?

7. Which architects do you respect most, and why?

8. Can you tell us about the relationship, or balance of power, between
the architect, client and developer?

9. Any advice for those who would like to work at Herzog & de Meuron?

10. Can you tell us about any exciting up and coming projects?

Thank you!

-- Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:23 -0400

manifesto on architecture



Structures, shelters from the forces of nature, are essential to the
survival and improvement of the human race. As the construction of
structures impacts the surrounding environment, care must be taken in
materials and methods. Old buildings are beautiful. How the building
looks is important, but not end-all, and can be modified. It is more
important to make use of what we have, particularly when it is well
built, than to build a-new.

Western capitalist society is in permanent fast-forward. Over 2,000 new
cosmetic products are released each quarter. QUARTER. That's four
times a year. Fashion is at the forefront of this delirious
produce-promote-consume cycle. Life is not all about feeling good and
being happy. Happy-feel-good has infected architecture. "Everything
must be new to be good" is the most fundamentally mistaken axiom of the
current generation. We our mortgaging our souls to preserve it.

Experimentation is rife. Practicing architects are abundant.
Individuals with capital who desire to build homes are numerous. New
homes are what is interesting about modern architecture. They are like
short poems, both sweet and sour in flavor.

Buildings currently under construction were conceived on business plans
rather than for the people who will be utilizing them. Little thought
is given to fifty years down the road.

For cities, more thought must be put into the 4 w's: where, what is
built, why and for whom. Out with the developers. Out with the
egotism.

---

I'm having mixed reactions to Walter Benjamin's opinions on art in the
age of mechanical reproduction. I love his discussion of the ritual and
art, but I lost him in his war rant at the end. Here are a few of my
favorite quotes:

"the primary question - whether the very intention of photography had not
transformed the entire nature of art - was not raised"

"The reactionary attitude toward a Picasso painting changes into the
progressive reaction toward a Chaplin movie. The progressive reaction
is characterized by the direct, intimate fusion of visual and emotional
enjoyment with the orientation of the expert. Such fusion is of great
social significance."

"... expects war to supply the artistic gratification of a sense
perception that has been changed by technology."

-- Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:48 -0400

I must say, I found several issues with the reading for the week,
Bombing Modernism. The article framed tagging's origins as a way for youth
to fight back against a system working against them. During this
discussion of graffiti is a heated debate about modernism vs.
post-modernism in architecture. Tagging, in reference to TAKI 183, had
nothing to do with youthful rebellion as stated in the article.
Instead, TAKI's goal, the same for other "all-city" writers, can be
viewed as a competition for the most exposure.

The second half of the article, however, I agree with, in that many
post-modern structures have lost the link which connects them to the
society in which exist: "The writing is iconographic and each piece
lives as a magnet for our attention, but they are increasingly difficult
to connect to personal experiences. Lacking the raw energy and power or
the history and shared experience that comes with racking paint and
cutting chain link fence, these pieces float in a world of fiction."

This is an important considering in any metaform: how does it relate to
the local geography? culture? population? Where does it "fit in"?
What is it saying?



For my tag I wanted to move beyond one-way statements to creating
connections between people and space. I have a logo which I use in my
works: alex, my name in lowercase pink letters
(http://artandprogram.com). I also use it in my business cards. I cut
out the letters and then tagged benches. When people sat down they
would be "sitting on alex".



Thus the origins of "sit on alex". The idea: to create an online forum
where people take and share photos of themselves "sitting on alex".



The goal is to attain a campy feel where people search out the alex's on
benches, take photos and share. The game will generate interest in the
area and conversation between passerbys. A kind of geotagging which
utilizes the internet for cohesion and community value.



-- Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:07 -0400

Metaforms, photo essay
composed during the week of September 8th, using a Ricoh GR II digital camera


density


time


power


drama


craftsmanship


boundary


class


futuristic


gentrification


loud


chaos


waste

-- Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:18 -0400

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