 Thirteen red and orange wall-mounted, felted "pods" are home to flocks of red and orange animated "boids". Visitors are invited to step in and play with the boids, as they dart about exhibiting flocking and feeding behaviors. A computer rigged with a Microsoft Kinect interface monitors the motion of human visitors and controls the video projection and the immersive soundscape.
The installation has four modes of interaction:- Sleeping - (silent) After 30 seconds without human interaction, the flying “boids” will go back to their pods to sleep.
- Scouting - (silent) Small groups of boids will come out to explore and then go back to their pods.
- Swarming - When visitors approach, the boids will come out, swarm around, and occasionally feed on the pods.
- Interacting - When visitors wave their hands in the air, they will interact with the boids.
Several open source software projects were used in this installation:- OpenFrameworks - an open-source C++ library for creative coding
- ofxKinectNui - Sadam Fujioka's addon using the Microsoft Kinect
- ofxBoids - a flocking motion addon for by Satoshi Okami
With their installation, Gonsalves and Goransson combine traditional sculpture with interactive media to create a unique and engaging encounter with a flock of other-worldly creatures, bringing a renewed sense of discovery and wonderment.
Rob and Kristina would like to thank Jennifer Lim for her help with this installation.
|