Friday, December 18, 2009

C'est fin.

Exposure: The Finale


The aquarium light, meant to mimic the circadian rhythm of the algae thus keeping it alive, created an interesting, eery lighting when shone on the piece. Unfortunately, the light in the gallery was too difficult to control. Without covering the piece with a blanket or curtain, the area couldn't get dark enough for the 12 hour period necessary to sustain the organisms.

In the end, the mechanism we chose to create movement was not the most effective. The cams on the end of the motors we able to fall out of alignment with the panels, and were to weak to create the intended motion.





I find the overall form of the piece to be intriguing, intertwined with organisms and metaphors. Algae organisms are living within IV bags, typically used to aid human life support. The acrylic panels that house the IV bags are organisms themselves.

Exposure uses solar energy in two ways, one direct, and one indirect. Through photosynthesis the bioluminescent algae use solar energy to directly create blue glowing light. Indirectly, photovoltaic cells use solar energy, converted into electricity, to power the motors that generate the movement within the piece. The ladder only exists only in theory, seeing as how the final destination of Exposure is an indoor gallery.


Our team definitely had it's ups and downs, but we made it through to the end. We all learned important lessons about the design process surrounding collaboration, the collaboration surrounding the design process, and the need to prototype. When all is said and done the most learning happens during building. Decisions can't be changed until they are made, and are often not made until they have been physically realized.

Some thoughts I take away:

The night of installation is too late to make game changing decisions, if there is no time to build anything.
It is ok to rely on group members.
Be prepared to suffer consequences.
If you are sure something needs to get done, but are unsure if it will, do it yourself.
Don't believe everything you are told.
6 heads are not always better.
Pipes=circuits
Water=electricity
Taking care of living organisms is stressful.
Dedication is not always a good thing.
Truth worlds do exist.

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