[ By Steph in Gadgets & Geek Art, Technology & Futurism, Urban & Street Art, Urban Images. ]
As beautiful as a display of fireworks can be, they’re passive: viewers are just viewers, rarely having a hand in the actual design of the show. But a project going on right now in Vancouver called Vectorial Elevation allows people around the world to light up the city’s sky with a customized light show, all from their own computers. Commissioned for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the installation began transforming the city’s skyline on February 4th and will continue until Sunday the 28th.
“This website includes a virtual model of Vancouver where you are able to design “light sculptures” with 20 robotic searchlights located along English Bay. Once you are happy with your design you submit it together with your name, location and dedication or comments. Every night from dusk to dawn new designs are quietly rendered sequentially as they are added to a queue.”
“The project automatically creates a personal webpage for each participant, documenting his or her contribution with views from 4 project webcams. With a 15 Km visibility radius, the installation intends to blend the virtual space of the Internet with one of the most emblematic public spaces in Vancouver.”
Using the Google Earth plug-in, users view Vancouver in 3-D with an overlay of the project’s models, markers and controllers. The interface allows the participants to select and direct individual searchlights and move virtual cameras to capture the action. All of the users’ requests are sent wirelessly to the command center in Vancouver in the form of x, y and z coordinates. Those who don’t want to wait in line to take an active part in the lighting design can watch each evening’s shows live on the Vectorial Vancouver website.
Previous versions of the project have taken place in Ireland, France, Spain and Mexico starting in 1999. The first, developed for the Millennium Celebrations in Mexico City’s Zócalo Square, drew over 800,000 participants from all over the world.
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[ WebUrbanist - By Steph in Gadgets & Geek Art, Technology & Futurism, Urban & Street Art, Urban Images. ]
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ESPVisuals have teamed up with Soundcrash once again, for a competition to give away 2 FREE TICKETS to go see PLAID, LUKE VIBERT, KING CANNIBAL & the DMX CREW on the 6th March @ Koko’s. All you have to do is email us with an answer to the simple question;”What is the date is this event happening?” Please mail your answer to selphespcrew [at] g mail . com The deadline is March 1st so have a long hard think about the achingly obvious answer!….
P L A I D
“exclusive scintilli preview & ‘classics’ av set”
plus LUKE VIBERT (laptop set) + DMX KREW live LP launch + KING CANNIBAL (ninja tune) + P45 + Ash-Eq
9 – 3 Sat 6th March 2010 @ KOKO
One of the very first signings to the venerable Warp stable, and still one of the most prolific artists on that home of oh-so-many hard-working creatives, Plaid have always pushed the boundaries both musically and visually having recognized the potential of the two mediums and the advances in technology that has afforded them to take this realisation to it’s conceivable limits.
DMX Krew, aka EDMX, aka Ed Upton creates electronic music in just about every form conceivable. With five full albums released on Aphex’s Rephlex label, and countless EPs and singles on his own Breakin’ Records, his sound varies from electro-pop/breakdance music right through to fully experimental soundscapes, and such credentials stand him in good stead for a night of such high-class electronic tuneage!
One of the very few artists to have been released on both Warp and Ninja, Luke Vibert is a true mainstay of the electronic music field. Countless releases, timeless tunes and multiple remixes have secured this man’s place in the collective consciousness of two generations of music lovers, and his DJ sets have a unique quality to them representative of his own personality, a feat not often achieved by merely playing other people’s records.
Previously known as Zilla, King Cannibal’s name has become synonymous with spine-shattering sub-frequencies in the last year, with his ‘Let The Night Roar’ LP on Ninja Tune having gained critical acclaim across the board from dubstep and electronica critics alike. He was dubbed by DJ Mag as ‘The modern master of satanic sub frequencies’
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196592063282&index=1
check out his store!
the victims of the Haiti Earthquake.
Here are some of the pieces from the event.
First prize went to a gadget called Augmented Living Goods. It’s a concept for a cellphone app to help people choose local and sustainably produced groceries.
A user would scan the barcode of an item in a shop, and their cellphone would then inform them where it came from and whether or not it is in season, and relate its price history and comments from others who have already bought it. It was designed by Shane Blomburg, John Healy, Seth Laupus and Andrew Reeves. The other entries can be seen here.
The helping hand is an innovative concept device that can efficiently help a person who has lost functionality of his or her upper limp due to a stroke by effectively regaining control over the paralyzed arm or hand. By wearing it, the motionless limb can do everyday tasks like holding objects, eating, dressing and even writing. The technology is to transmitting signals from the human brain through a neuro-implant to control the device, which allows the user to move their hands, arms or fingers by simply thinking of any action. The electroactive polymer joints of the device make the movement of the limb more natural and friendly for the user. The straps are designed to take their positions automatically when the device is turned on. Moreover, the device gives user the option of putting on and taking off whenever they want by using one hand only.
Designer : Joseph Cooper
The Electrolux Design Lab 2010 features a great opportunity for worldwide undergraduate and graduate industrial design students to illustrate their skills and creativity on designing innovative home appliances that can shrink domestic spaces. This year, the contest has been named as ‘The Second Space Age’ and is looking for ideas on efficient preparation and storing food, easy dishwashing, washing clothes, and many more that contributes to the improvement of the year 2050 lifestyle. The key consumer requirements of design submissions for this year have been set as being green, allowing for individualization and adaptive to space and time. The winning submission will get €5,000 plus a paid internship for 6 months at an Electrolux global design center. Moreover, the first and the second runner-up will get €3,000 and €2,000 respectively. Deadline: 1 May, 2010
Source : Electrolux Design Lab
‘el’ is a hearing device concept that has been designed aiming to transform hearing aids into an elegant accessory. The concept comprises three main parts. First is the hearing device that can be worn in each ear to ensure clear sound for hearing impaired people by amplifying and adjusting sounds. Second is the two ring control unit, designed to be worn on each index finger that features a manual volume controller to adjust the volume of the hearing device. Inside the ring, a radio frequency receiver has been placed that remains hidden by the external piece. Finally, the display case, where the first two elements are placed that acts as a charging station for them. The entire design ensures stunning aesthetic appeal for users, while providing loud, clear and distinct sound for hearing impaired people.
Designer : Ryan Kirkpatrick
