Constelation 2.0; A prototype, an attempt for improvised architecture

An installation proposal for Electric Eclectics Festival,
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
31 July to 2 August 2009http://www.electric-eclectics.com/

The biggest achievement of this project was being able to improvise architecture/design to create a built environment. General parts of this piece were thought through and tested on other projects. But similar to other disciplines of arts, with a general knowledge of your abilities and willing to accept the unexpected you can improvise the architecture. Next step is to communicate and trust the other artists involved to jam with you. [Jamming architecture?]

We were lucky that both our sound and visual artists were well practiced in improvised projects.
More photos…

This installation is an attempt to engage the visitors with the site and create a unique spatial experience, sensitive to the surroundings with minimum impact on the site. Using tensioned strips of white fabric on light temporary structure and solar powered LED lights, the Constellation 2.0 will create a habitable enclosure that allows small gatherings and engagement with a potential interactive audio/visual installation. During the day, this skin surface will act as a shade while harvesting solar energy for the performance and at night glow and become a screen for the gathering/performance space The scattered light points will be positioned to reflect the stars and the constellations of August night sky, diffused on the white skin and into the field. The light nodes will also become the anchor points for the fabric to structurally connect to the ground. The grass around the nodes will be trimmed by one meter radius to accommodate the visitors stay. The trimmed areas of the field will be connected to one another to create paths and encourage the visitors to explore this unique site.

Constellation 2.0 is responsive to variouse natural and man-made physical pressures in the built envioronment (Wind, Sunlight) as well as variouse user inputs (tactile/touch). The fabric and tensioned strips are equipped with piezoelectric sensors responding to the wind and people’s interactions. These interactions are manifested in the form of sound and light. For example, the sensed acoustic vibrations are processed and spatialized across the nodes. (This paragraph is to be refined, edited, and expanded on… notes: the Tensioned strips could possibly work as wind-harps given the tension and width are suitable. We can include one cheap light sensor somewhere to make the sound-space react slowly to the sun’s movement.)

in collaboration with: Cosmin Iancu, Navid Navab, Jerome Delapierre