Function:
1.Prosthetic limbs for the function of movement
2.For the function of entertainment ex. Walkman's, I-pods, other various MP3 players.
3. For the function of communication ex. cellphones, blue tooth headsets
4. For the function of security and personal safety ex. bugs or wires worn to record personal conversations
5. For the function of personal health ex. personal heart rate monitors along with personal calorie counters that count how many calories you are burning when running.
6. For the function of style ex. light up bracelets, watches, ear rings, necklaces ect.
7. A long shot, but thinking outside of the box there is always the function of sexual stimulation.... I am not going to list those off. The internet exists for a reason people can find that out for themselves.
Culture:
1. The Cosplay culture has produced many wearable technologies. For those that don't know Cosplay is a hobby where people dress up as fictional characters from movies, video games, comics and more. A right of passage is held in that the person with the best costume gains and elite social status over those that have inferior craft. Many cosplay wearables include fake lasers, and light up elements like armor and helmets.
2. The Gaming culture: Nerds, Noobs, and Geeks. The best example that comes to mind is the Nintendo power glove. It was a wearable glove that functioned as a movement sensitive controller. While the idea never took off and totally bombed it became the predecessor for the Nintendo Wii Mote "Another controller that captured movement." Head sets are also used by the gaming culture. Mostly they are used for communication between teammates when trying to coordinate in multi-player online matches. Headsets can also function as personal surround sound systems. Most high end gaming headsets come with Dolby 7.1 surround sound built into them.
2. The club culture: Candy kids, Ravers, Club goers. The club scene has been big since the 70's. It only got worse in the 80's and took a strange turn in the 90's. Now in the present day age of electronic music, dubstep and raves it is not uncommon to see people decked out with glow sticks, light up bracelets and other light up contraptions that can be twirled around.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Mimic Nature
The two works that I decided to take a look at was "Swarm" by David Bowen and "Shiver" by Colleen Ludwig. The concept of mimicking nature is nothing new and probably dates back to the dawn of man. Humans have always been fascinated by nature and have tried to replicate its beauty in all forms of art from painting to sculpture. Trees and animals have been found on everything from cave paintings to primitive pots and pans. In technological art the relationship is very close because the parts themselves operating the piece resemble organic appendages. The circuits and wires resemble the veins in leaves that bring nutrients back to the base of the plant.
I would have to say that both pieces that I looked at focused more on humanities goal of trying to control nature then to mimic it. In Swarm flies are given the ability to control the motion of a cylindrical robot. Where the flies land and how dense their numbers are control the direction and speed the robot will travel in. However, they are still confined to a plastic sphere and the robot is restricted to only be allowed to move within the confines of a black circle drawn upon the ground.
The piece Shiver draws from nature by creating a room with falling trails of water. The piece is indeed inspired by nature in that falling rain is something that almost everyone can relate to. The viewer is asked to change the trajectory of the streams by running their hand across the wall. This is another example of controlling nature.
In the end I believe there will always be a relationship between technology and nature in that nature is one of the first things that we experience when we are brought in the world. We are fascinated and mesmerized by its beauty and sometimes power. It is one of the easiest subjects to draw from and relate to, that is why the relationship is so strong.
I would have to say that both pieces that I looked at focused more on humanities goal of trying to control nature then to mimic it. In Swarm flies are given the ability to control the motion of a cylindrical robot. Where the flies land and how dense their numbers are control the direction and speed the robot will travel in. However, they are still confined to a plastic sphere and the robot is restricted to only be allowed to move within the confines of a black circle drawn upon the ground.
The piece Shiver draws from nature by creating a room with falling trails of water. The piece is indeed inspired by nature in that falling rain is something that almost everyone can relate to. The viewer is asked to change the trajectory of the streams by running their hand across the wall. This is another example of controlling nature.
In the end I believe there will always be a relationship between technology and nature in that nature is one of the first things that we experience when we are brought in the world. We are fascinated and mesmerized by its beauty and sometimes power. It is one of the easiest subjects to draw from and relate to, that is why the relationship is so strong.
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