SignWaves
This project is developed to support creative place-making in downtown Akron as one of a series of outdoor interactive, cinematic experiences.
The installation is the first in a set of interventions proposed for vacant storefronts to promote creative play and encourage social interaction. It is a user-driven display that captures the real-time motions of the viewer and translates the recorded footage into looped material of media art. The live-feed video is formatted to 3”x3” and arrayed onto a large monitor to create a matrix of 3”x3” GIFs. Each GIF is offset by several frames to produce a time delay that generates waving patterns.
The monitor image is embedded within a complex surface composed of a collection of 3”x3”x3” acrylic mirror cells. These cells are designed to mimic the effects of the video’s undulating patterns, and challenge the distinctions between reflected and projected image. Grasshopper was used as the graphic modeling interface to generate the complex surface for the project. Each cell is unique in its geometry, and increases in its rotational twist across the vertical surface. The surface consists of 610 individual cells.
Fabrication techniques were developed to support ease of construction and group assembly. Laser cut patterns for each unique cell drew from principles of origami folding and the need to create flexible cellular units. A variety of kerf patterns were designed and tested to accommodate the range of distinct geometries and corresponding flexible twisting behaviors. 1/16” single surface acrylic mirror sheets were used for the parametric surface. 2-7’x4’ MDF panels serve as the structural substrate for the cells, with a matching CNC milled aperture for individual cell inlay. To reduce cracking during the assembly process, segments of each cell were pre-folded and then stabilized along the flexible joint with an adhesive prior to being inset.
The back surface of the installation consists of a second MDF panels with a similar milled pattern. The two front and back MDF panels of the display wall are held together by a field of 7/16” dowel rods nailed to the surface of each MFG board. The wall is further stabilized and ballasted by 2-4”x4” hollow metal tube sections each welded to a ¼” plate steel base.
SignWaves is the first project in The Optics of Memory public art series.
Sponsors
The Optics of Memory project is made possible by the generous support of: the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Knight Arts Challenge, GAR Foundation, Sandra L. and Dennis B. Haslinger Family Foundation, Downtown Akron Partnership, Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Curated Storefront, Akron Public Library, Akron Art Museum, and private donations.
Team
Design Team:
Diane Davis-Sikora (Lead Designer + OOM Co-organizer)
Kasumi (Multi-media Artist/Designer + OOM Co-organizer)
BoSheng Liu (Design Collaborator)
Chip Clark (FabLAB Manager)
Ziyan Yi (Design Illustration)
Technology: Chris Yewell, Circuit Slices, Inc. (Technologist/Electronic Artist)
Project Installation: TechZone@Main | Akron-Summit County Public Library [Curated Storefront]
Kent State University, CAED Student Fabrication Team:
Branden Hudak
Yu-Ting Chang
Hugh Patton
Jon Penvose
Sam Giuliano
Jack Winersteller
Vince Noce
Tim Jockers
Amanda Harrer
CAED student volunteers
Aaron Schordock Isaac Wimer
Alex Wills Janice Chislow
Alexa Arnone Jennifer Rufener
Allison Huchko Jenny Glowe
Alysa Lovich Jin Xin
Anthony Esposito John Young
Austin Gehalo Josh Ginley
Brandon Alcorn Julian Colicchio
Bryan Daily Kang Qian
Carl’Drail Cannon Keely Mager
Chad Boston Khue Trinh
Charles Karas Kody Kocias
Connor Enslen Kristen Howard
Connor Kaldor Max Hentosh
Dan Zalar Melanie Domzalski
Dominic Scianna Molly Sullivan
Edward Berzonski Nancy Morton
Elija Less Nick Anello
Elizabeth Tartabim Omololu Uwadinma
Enman John Brankiniski Rachel Nisse
Eric Hongosh Ryan Snyder
Erin Fantozz Sara Connelly
Haley Derose Sarah Hamercheck
Hannah Abate Seuda Javadideh
Stephane Johnson Thomas Lowry
Thomas Lowry William Mann
