[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D17F35-Rqk[/youtube]
in nyc at roulette…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIrDB-8R9vE[/youtube]
in LA at fringe
here is another work currently being shown at Fringe in LA (i’ve been referring to the piece as ‘so/emf‘, too). the top video was shot in nyc at roulette in march, the second video is from Fringe. visitors to Fringe were encouraged to lift the objects out of the display table and use them according to the instructions below. i made a change in the device after the roulette show by swapping a laser for the IR transmitter, and by putting a dish (from a votive candle) around the IR receiver. my intention was to make synching the objects easier, and possible from greater distances. it worked. i have twelve of these things built but only showed eight in LA, leaving a few backups around just in case…
here is the wall mounting from LA:
description: eight hand-held devices equipped with light sensors (photo-transistor), electromagnetic field detectors, a small laser, and a bi-colored LED(red/blue). the LED flashes in response to ambient light levels, and produces a color (mix of red and blue) based on the mix of positive and negative charge in the electromagnetic field within the gallery. the devices can communicate with each other and will flash synchronously if visitors point the laser of one device (the gold component on the left, front of the device) at the IR receiver (the clear plastic head at the center of the aluminum disc on the right, front) of another. it is possible for a group of eight visitors to make all eight flash synchronously.
***the piece was close to the Balloon Chamber so there was always an active electromagnetic field around the piece.
howto: gently lift the device off the table. at the bottom of the object there is a black on/off button. the emf detector will cause the LED to change colors, blue=negative charge, red=positive charge. when you are done with the device, please turn it off and place back its hole on the table. please don’t manipulate the laser or aluminum discs on the exterior of the devices.