Breathings Connect people emotionally to nature by Yutong Liu

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DESIGN DETAILS

DESIGN NAME:
Breathings

PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Connect people emotionally to nature

INSPIRATION:
In today's fast-paced pursuit of efficiency, many regions sacrifice the rich meanings of surrounding elements, falling into the trap of reductionism, which breeds loneliness and anxiety. We believe in a deep emotional connection between nature and human, using wind as our focus. Despite society simplifying and streamlining nature, reducing wind to a mere meteorological indicator, within this intangible breath lies a profound emotional bond between human and nature.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
In a world dominated by materialism, people often lose their connection to nature. This wind-mediated emotional interaction installation symbolically interprets wind and its biological elements using Arduino technology, prompting viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature. Ultimately, it aims to inspire a renewed appreciation for the environment, encouraging individuals to reconnect with nature.

OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION:
Our exhibit features an interactive 3D globe interface for exploring global pollen levels. Rotating the globe reveals data bars; clicking these bars shows the location's name and pollen level for the day. Further interaction leads to a page detailing regional biological activity with dynamic visualizations. Real-time data and surface undulation control are shown through scrolling code. A concealed fan and control unit bring the installation to life, mimicking the chosen region's pollen activity through air flow and surface movements, enhancing viewer engagement with the unseen aspects of life in the wind.

PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION:
The project started in September 2023 and finished in January 2024 in Shanghai, and was selected to be exhibited on 2024 Milan Design Week (Isola) in April 2024.

PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY:
We use 43 SG90 servos to create movement on surfaces, with hardwares like Arduino Mega 2560 and PCA 9685. We used Python to collect real-time data for countries worldwide & major cities on (1) pollen/dust mite levels; (2) different types of pollen/allergens; to represent the local bioactivity level (Bio-level). The data is visualized on both on our physical installation and on an interactive globe webpage. Selected data is then transmitted to TouchDesigner and an Arduino board using Python and JavaScript, enabling real-time updates for dynamic visuals and device undulation.

SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES:
Considering human proportions, we've defined the undulating surface's dimensions and internal points, focusing on organic forms and aesthetics. The design includes 2020 aluminum profile brackets and servo motor bases for structural stability and easy installation. The servo motor base, optimized over seven iterations, balances stability, smoothness, and reparability. We've tested materials like latex film, sponge blankets, PET plastic, and textile mesh for surface texture, transparency, color, and flexibility, ensuring an engaging and aesthetic experience.

TAGS:
Interactive Installation, Emotional Design, Human-computer Interaction, Wind-mediated, Nature

RESEARCH ABSTRACT:
Interactions with abstracted nature often entail working with structured nature-based media, including species identification, photo cataloging, and nature discussions. These activities blend direct nature exploration with the cataloging or analysis of captured observations nearby. This interplay highlights how technology mediates engagement with the natural world.

CHALLENGE:
This is a highly integrated project, requiring a significant amount of time and effort to establish communication and coordination between various components. For example, we aimed for real-time data from the bio to be simultaneously transmitted to the audience through our servo drive system and TouchDesigner visualization system, which involved considerable effort

ADDED DATE:
2024-02-28 20:48:01

TEAM MEMBERS (1) :

IMAGE CREDITS:
Yutong Liu, 2023.

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