Ralph-LookingOutwards-1
Stone Spray Project: http://www.stonespray.com/
This is a machine that prints 3D object out of soil and a liquid binder, much like Markus Kayser’s 3D sinter. The Stone Spray can operate entirely on solar energy as well, but is not completely dependent on it like the sinter, so it is functional even during the night or under cloudy conditions.
I greatly admire the resourcefulness of the project, offering an ecological alternative to conventional 3D printing. Its design allows the user to build complex structures on-site with minimal preparations, so its potential is not only limited to printing out curiosities for fun. This could have great practical use in construction, and the structures it creates are surprisingly sturdy.
Though for now, it is still limited to printing out small, coarse curiosities, I’m sure further development will allow smoother printing as well as building on a large scale.
Void is a mechanical structure by Wit Pimkanhanapong which suspends a light source within a space and moves that point of light freely to create a spatial drawing over time. This piece is a continuation of a piece by Jurg Lehni who managed to create a structure that moved a drawing tool across a 2D plane.
I was surprised by this piece because of how simple the setup was. I would not have imagined such smooth movement through any point in space being possible through a mostly physical contraption utilizing only 8 stationary winches.
Though this is probably due to physical limitations, the movement feels too sluggish. The gifs presented on the page shows the movement sped up, and it forms a beautiful gesture which is probably interesting no matter what angle you see it from. The sluggishness hides this gesture.
Sonumbra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF9rqiHNDuA
This is an installation of umbrellas which emit streaks of light that resemble vines in response to movements within the umbrellas. According to the description, the artist intended to breathe harmony and musical rhythm in the viewer’s steps as he or she walked along. Many works by Loop.pH seem to involve intricate lattices of lights much like this project.
Its choice of location is nice; it appears to be outdoors near shrubbery, breeding an atmosphere of a magical, otherworldly forest. The intricate patterns created by the lattice of light are also very pleasing to look at. Its humanitarian value is also not to be overlooked; it is proposed to be used in impoverished villages to both provide shade and light with only solar energy.
Unfortunately, the iteration presented in this video does not seem appropriately responsive to the participant. Sometimes, the entire lattice glows while the man walks lightly or stands still, and the umbrellas generally respond with much delay. In addition, the algorithm that controls the pattern of light does not seem to create a sense of rhythm as advertised very well.