In this blog post, I want to discuss an interview I conducted with Richard Dank, the lecturer of Design with Code for CMS. I will briefly summarize our conversation regarding local hands-on exhibits and the role of programming.
It is important to separate actuators and visualization as they do not occur in the same program. Every program has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is crucial to understand the boundaries of the project and use cases in order to carefully choose the appropriate tools for building hands-on exhibits.
Projects often aim to provide unexpected outcomes, which can create additional curiosity. For example, Richard Dank shared a project in which pedestrians could trigger the projection of “Kunsthaus” by pressing the button of the traffic light in front of the building. Most pedestrians did not realize what they were doing, but their actions unintentionally changed the mapping. Only a few noticed this.
Programming, specifically using Processing, allows for the integration of microcontrollers on a larger scale while ensuring a clean visual mapping of the setup. Data from microcontrollers can be further processed using other tools such as PureDate, but the spatial arrangement and data flow can be controlled using Processing itself. Although this process is not visible to viewers, it greatly assists the artist in setting up and testing exhibits.
In the second part of this blog post, I will focus on artists based in Graz. I will stay in touch with Richard Dank as our brief discussion about interactive experiences and programming marked the beginning of a local network of freelancers who share a passion for art, technology, and society. I would like to mention a few inspiring people and places that Richard Dank referred to – I am excited to meet some of them during the next semester.
Richard Dank
The following link leads to some projects related to “interaction”.
http://richdank.com/4a/projects/index2_de.php
in|filtration
This project is well documented and gives insight into the process of developing an interactive installation.
https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/711664/711665
Reni Hofmüller
She concentrates on art in technological contexts and explores the relationship between art, technology, and society.
https://esc.mur.at/en/bio/reni-hofm%C3%BCller
Reagenz
In this place not only projects are being developed and realized but also publications in contemporary art, focusing on sound and installation art as well as intermedia experimentation.
https://reagenz.at/
Note: Especially the work from Hanns Holger Rutz and his “transmedia” approach got my attention. https://www.sciss.de/
Paul Frick – “bildermehr”
The homepage is currently under construction but might show some interesting works with focus on haptics.
http://bildermehr.at/