Intereactive Systems of Image Creation

Miles Gilbert, RISD BFA Thesis 2008

Brief

I have designed and built four separate machines with very different means of image creation and different levels of complexity, controllability, and interaction. My main tools are the open source programming languages Arduino and Processing. My interest in computer programming and robot design is not to create a thoroughly accurate system that is capable of mimicking real world techniques. Instead, my focus lies in the concept of creating completely new systems that provide feedback to the audience in real time. Every move the user makes affects the system and vice versa. This interaction has the ability to create pieces that are unexpected, alive, and beautiful and depend on significant collaboration between humans and machines.

Full Statement

INFO contact © miles gilbert 2008

References, Precedents, Thanks

This project could not have been completed without the help and inspiration of the following people, previous projects/technologies, and literary sources...

People

My Degree Project Class (including: Taro Yumiba, Megan Brock, Kandyce Groesbeck, Ashleigh Smith, Megan Bullock, Amy Song, Jennifer West, Jennifer Shim, Natalie Clark, Allison Fearn, & Seth Clark)

My instructors Jan Baker and Paul Badger

Mom and Dad for supporting all of my crazy robot building needs

Precedents

A lot of work is being done in the way of physical computing and image creation. These are just a few of the projects that inspired me to create my own devices.

Arduino -- the open source programming language that drives all of my machines
Processing -- another open source language, used in conjunction with Arduino to drive IRAH
Scriptographer -- a plugin for Adobe Illustrator
You Don't Matter -- an automated plotter based on the Scriptographer technology.
KlangStufen -- for giving me the confidence to hack up my last two playstation controllers and for its use of sound
Tim Hawkinson -- a sculptor working in mechanics
This Instructable -- helped me create BARB
Jean Tinguely -- another kinetic sculptor
Tim Knowles -- a different take on non-human image creation
Matthew Barney's Drawing Restraint Projects -- a series of pieces about the relationship between self-imposed resistance and creativity.

References

Casey Reas Processing: A Handbook for Visual Designers
Paul A. Fishwick Aesthetic Computing
John Maeda Design by Numbers
Cliff Pickover Computers, Chaos, Patterns, & Beauty
Dan O’Sullivan and Tom Igoe Physical Computing
Tom Igoe Making Things Talk
Norbert Wiener Cybernetics
Jasia Reichardt Cybernetics, Art, and Ideas
Vladimir Arkhipov Home-Made