Idea Development Version 2
I’m still unsure of what I am exactly doing. My idea initially inspired by the work of artist Saara Ekstrom. She makes these interventions with bacteria.
You can see pictures below.
When I see these, I think about the performative aspect occur with the bacteria. The human intervenes and the bacteria and grown in the style of the intervention. But, can these growth patterns be used to power something?
I think what I’ve learned the most about digital aesthetics is that computation and software is just a structure that comes from within us. It’s not something foreign or outside of us. It’s a cultural parameter as much as language. So, the Boolean logic we’ve embedded into the computer comes from out structure. What happens when we insert a logic from nature? Will it be asymmetrical? This is where my preoccupation with microorganisms is leading me.
I’ve also been looking at instruments that have their own autonomy. This is where I found the Windwuino. It’s a device that is played by the wind and programmed in Arduino.
So where does sound come in these two elements? Well, I want to make a machine that’s back end is supplied by the growth patterns of the bacteria. The front end interface has a sound element to it. The question is how do you create this?
Feedback and Reflection:
The feedback I received was that sound is very ambiguous. I can half agree with Graham, but I can’t help but think that I just don’t understand how to make a direction for myself. I work really well with structured
environments. I spoket to Graham about this and it’s up to me to make this structure. I’m not sure if I can overcome this because it goes back to the American learning environment.
I think it’s really frustrating to lack structure or have to build a project from scratch with a timetable—knowing that you may not have skills or the knowhow to execute. How do I develop this idea and make it executable? I feel it’s most important to think about the execution at this point.