Approach 2-KeeganE

Background:

This project combines generative art, user-interactivity, and existential analysis to create a unique window into my personal experiences with existential isolation and anxiety. I will supplement this piece with specific quotes and experiences; a combination of my own sentiments and those of established philosophers.

Explanation:

This project is split into a single quadrant, with four areas to focus on:

–Generative Art (Processing: Enables Visuals)

This portion will integrate a combination of quotes, excerpts, fluctuating background-color, and basic particle effects to create something visually stimulating. The quotes or excerpts will include prompts for the user to shift the pace and direction of the experience (explained in-depth under ‘Code’ and ‘Physical Artifacts’). Ultimately the art should be generative, so random elements will be implemented to make each run-through unique.

–Code (Processing, Arduino)

The code will be structured in such a way that each quote and excerpt will each be associated with a particular mood. Let’s use a quote for example: if it has an objectively negative connotation then it will have a value to reflect that negativity. This value will pass through a mood function (I mean that quite literally: [void mood();]), which will evaluate this value. That in turn will have the function appropriately modify values relating to the visual elements. If the quote is sad, the visuals may take a darker, heavily-contrasted turn. The mood function will influence the way visuals are printed to the screen. Where there isn’t any objective connotation, the user will be given the opportunity to choose their own, and thereby change the experience for them personally.

–Physical Artifacts (Arduino: Grants User-Interaction)

I will be  utilizing Arduino to integrate user-interaction and to display the generative art piece. I’ve simplified the process since my intent – the interface will utilize only four buttons and a photocell. The left and right buttons will control selecting a prompt, whilst the top and bottom buttons will shift the pace of the program, making prompts appear faster or slower depending on the individuals’ preference. Editing pace will affect the prompts received. The photocell is utilized as a variable input; in other words, since photocells can detect a range of values, I can use this sensor to make selecting a prompt a visual experience in and of itself.

Finally, a ultrasonic sensor will be used to detect proximity, which in turn can be utilized to reset the program.

–Existential Topics (Isolation, Anxiety)

After the feedback from my intent, I’ve also simplified the overall topic itself: rather than focus on existentialism as a whole, I’m going to be tackling issues of existential isolation and anxiety. The two areas are closely related, and often one tends to feed into the other; making it the perfect middle-ground to ensure I have enough content without straying too far from any given topic. Majority of the topics will be drawn from myself, Nietzsche, and Kafka.

Credits:

Joline, your feedback accounted for the biggest shift, which is that of topic. I’ve focused my ideas to better manage the mood and pacing functions, which will clear up a lot of issues involving drastic fluctuations in the ideas presented. I’ve also narrowed the resources I draw from, the sheer number of philosophers listed in my intent was way too broad – only Kafka and Nietzsche remain as they better align with my topics.

James, you commented on my intent (thank you for taking the time to do so!) on making the interface less ambitious. I took these words to heart and discovered that a much more interesting and less confusing solution existed to make the interactivity still have an exceptional level of depth (pacing and mood).

Finally, the philosophers: Franz Kafka, Friederich Nietzsche. Both are incredible thinkers and have ideas worth exploring.

Budget

$20-$50: Additional sensors/wiring/electrical materials

$1,200: Lenovo IdeaPad Y700 – Editing

$10/hr – Estimate on time-budget constraint