Gmail Motion

Google has a new product called the 'Gmail Motion'. With Gmail Motion, users are able to use body language as a new method of content writing over the mouse & keyboard. Users are enabled to stand in front of a webcam for motion detection and do a number of gestures in order to 'write' an email.

As interesting as it sounds, I find it very impractical and would rather stick to using the old method of sending emails. I can't imagine the number of motions you have to do just type in one word. Imagine if your email consists of 500 different words; there are so many body gestures that you will have to learn just to finish off your email. I would rather be seated comfortably in my chair and do things the easy way.

Also, I can never consider the keyboard and mouse as an 'outdated' technology. I find it the most convenient method for me to do most of my work on the computer.

So this is something I will take into consideration for my project. The complexity of movements in order to generate interaction between the user and my work.

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UPDATE: 19 APRIL 2011!

It was an April fools joke! Thank God! I thought the product was pathetic. But well done, Google!

Human Kaleidoscope by Carmin & Rolf

This update does not involve content which I had created myself, but something that I came across whilst browsing.

In my previous post, I had talked about creating one of my kaleidoscope content using real-time images. Coincidentally, a project called 'Human Kaleidoscope' done by two installation artist (Carmin Karasic & Rolf van Gelder) produced a similar outcome to my idea.

Here are some examples of the image they produced through their installation:


Chocolate and child labor in Africa, with Rolf's hand.


Sugarcane harvest in Honduras, and Rolf.


Clothing sweatshop in Mexico, with my arm & shirt in center.

For images, click here.

PRECEDENCE: Webcam Piano by Memo Akten

Webcam Piano 2.0 Teaser from Memo Akten on Vimeo.

Webcam Piano is an interpretation of movements with sound.



"Webcam Piano 2.0, uses much smarter algorithms to try and understand motion and interpret how the person (or people) are moving and what kind of sounds they might be wanting and expecting to create with their movements. It also offers a simple gestural interface to switch between 3 (potentially more) different musical modes and color schemes, each representing a different emotion and feel."

- Memo Akten

Memo Akten official site

This relates to my study of synaesthesia. One of the most commonly reported form of synaesthesia is relating color to any other sensation, which results in multiple works in relation to color. But I'm pleased to find one of relation to motion.

There are three types of default colors one can use to project movements - red, green and blue. Users are able to choose any of the three colors as their default. Light movements will leave traces of the default color in use (eg; green), but rapid movements will produce overwhelming traces of either of the other two colors (eg; red or blue).

I find the idea of the traces of colors interesting. Perhaps it will give a more profound definition of the user's speed and the reaction of the projection.

IDEA DEVELOPMENT: Interactive Light Installation by Andrew O'Malley

Interactive light installation from The Latest Artists on Vimeo.

"A custom light fixture is controlled by the movement of people in the gallery it inhabits: motion sensors use the number and frequency of people in various parts of the space to control the color and speed of the installation."

Andew O'Malley official website.

This work has a common ground with installation. With the exception of lights, I will be using a webcam to sense the movement of my audience; which will determine the shade of color of the kaleidoscope projection.

An important detail that needs further investigation; will my projection react to a singular motion of an audience or to multiple movements?

IDEA DEVELOPMENT: The Equipments

For the project, there are a few necessities that I will need in order to execute my work.

A webcam is my main tool. I need it to detect the audience's movements in order to generate the various color/designs of my interactive kaleidoscope. A video camera could also be a replacement for the webcam, but will cost more.


Cost: RM60 - RM200


Cost: RM1300 - RM2800


I will also need projector. Hopefully, I can borrow one instead of renting to save cost.


Rental Cost: RM80 - RM150?


I also need a 'canvas' in order to project my image on to. Either a white cloth or the wall will do.


Lastly, I need a test subject an audience. I may need to pay people to give good remarks on my work.


A potential test subject audience.


This is a sketch of the layout of my project:

IDEA DEVELOPMENT: (More) Interactive Kaleidoscope by Skymonk

I came across more interactive kaleidoscopes made by Skymonk!









More interactive kaleidoscopes can be found on LSDEX.

Source

IDEA DEVELOPMENT: Interactive Kaleidoscope by Skymonk

An awesome flash I found that will be a great help my project! Kaleidoscope-inspired! :D

This is a project of an Interactive Kaleidoscope by Alex Skymonk. Basically, my project will be of the same concept. Except one's height and speed will determine the sort of color the kaleidoscope will execute, instead of distorted images.

Scroll over the image for the effects!



Flash-based project. Which is exactly what I needed. The outcome is slightly different from what I plan on doing, but there are still some similarities and serves as a great reference for my project.

I really like the whole psychedelic feel. It's almost as if I'm in a trance. This is my niche! I'm a person of color. (:

Source

Proposal III (Refine)

You can view the previous proposal, here.


PROJECT TITLE: Colorscope

BACKGROUND
The kaleidoscope is a tube of mirrors with coloured objects. As the user looks through one end, light enters the other and creates beautiful patterns as reflections bounces off the mirrors.

IDEATION & CONCEPT
Colorscope is an installation of a projection on the wall that acts as a kaleidoscope (with portraits of people added to the kaleidoscope design). As the webcam detects movement of a person passing by, the design on the wall changes.

MOTIVATION
From my understanding, motion is the action of moving from a point in space to another. Since action is motivated by a reaction of certain stimulus, thus, color could greatly affect that reaction and motivation. Therefore, it is important to study these relationships between color and motion to better understand and utilize its functions.

DESIGN APPROACH
The design will include a kaleidoscope-type design projected on the wall. A webcam will detect the motion or movements of the subject and will change in accordance to their speed and height. Studies on the relation of human motion and colors will be applied to this project.

AIM & OBJECTIVE
To promote positive emotions to the audience.
To create distinguishable variations depending on the movement detected.
To inject an aesthetic experience on the audiences' sub conscience.
To further enhance the development of the audience's perspective about abstract art.

Proposal III

Topic: Colors.

Colors is an installation of a projection on the wall that acts as a kaleidoscope. When the webcam detects movement of a person passing, the design on the wall changes.

The objective:
To create artform based on the kaleidoscope.
To create distinguishable variations depending on the movement detected.
To inject an aesthetic experience on the audiences' sub conscience.
To further enhance the development of the audience's perspective about abstract art.

The idea was inspired by a video I came across Vimeo!

Somebody, but not me from Lesya Malskaya on Vimeo.

View refined proposal, here.

Proposal II

Topic: Music As One.

I was inspired by a video I found on YouTube by Candice Breitz(view video below).



The installation involves the users' participation. Users were picked and given a chance to re-perform in a professional studio to Madonna songs. The users decide what to wear, whether they want to dance, whether they want to follow the lead or back-up vocals, and so on as the video records their movements. Through this process, the singers produce an acappella version the song.

The idea that I'd like to propose is a little different from Candice's.

Instead of recording the users' voices, I intend on recording only the visuals of the user's movement, miming and dancing to the song. The videos will then be compiled. Then, random scenes of the overall compilation will be played throughout the song projected on a screen.

Reasons for this installation is to prove that there is no boundaries when it comes to music and that it is a culture that is accepted from around the world.

Proposal I

Topic: Dracula: A History

The tale of vampires has become popular in the modern culture, especially in the entertainment industry. We've seen and heard the tales of vampires that was played numerous times on television and in theaters. But where did the original story originated from?

In order to understand pop culture, we need to know the history of the origins. Coming from the multimedia field, it's important to know what is the current big thing in pop culture in order to keep the viewers entertained. By going through history, it serves as a basis of knowledge and ideas.

With so many modern variations and deviations of the vampire story, I plan to immerse the users into the original legend of the Dracula, as an appreciation for history.

The method I plan to use for this installation is by applying anaglyph photography. Two projectors project the red and blue layers onto the canvas and users are enabled to wear 3D glasses in order to view the projection clearly.

This can be used as a different approach of gaining knowledge to make an impact on the user.

Mind Map!

(Click for bigger view)

A mind map of the possible topics I plan on proposing. There are some some branches which I'm really keen on doing, like the story of Dracula, fairy tales, and Star Wars perhaps? (Hoyeah!)