Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 7 p.m.
Georgia Tech Music Department (Couch Building)
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Advances in micro-controller and communication
technologies have led to a new wave of embedding computation in physical
artifacts and environments. As architects with a background in computing, the
intersection between the physical and computation has sparked our imagination
and driven us to explore the relationship. We refer to these explorations as
"physical computing" which overlaps other paradigms: ubiquitous,
wearable, tangible, invisible, etc., computing. By physical computing we mean
systems that incorporate both material and computational media, perhaps, for
example, employing mechanical and electronic systems for the creation and
exploration of interfaces for computationally enhanced objects and spaces. Ellen Yi-Luen Do
recently joined the faculty in College of Architecture & College of
Computing at Georgia Tech from Carnegie Mellon University. She is committed
to building better design tools, from understanding the human intelligence
involved in the design process and leading to the improvement of the
interface with computers. Her research explores new modalities of
communication, collaboration, and coordination, as well as the physical and
virtual worlds that push the current boundaries of computing environments for
design. |
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“MEART – The
Semi Living Artist” is a geographically detached, bio-cybernetic
research and development project exploring aspects of creativity and artistry
in the age of new biological technologies from both artistic and scientific
perspectives. It is an installation distributed between two locations in the
world. Its “brain” consists of cultured nerve cells that grow in a
neuro-engineering lab, in Atlanta. Its “body” is a robotic drawing arm that
is capable of producing two-dimensional drawings. The “brain” and the “body”
communicate in real time with each other for the duration of an exhibition. MEART is assembled from:
The Internet is used to mediate between its components
and overcome its geographical detachment. MEART suggests future
scenarios where humans will create/grow/manufacture intuitive and creative
“thinking entities” that could be intelligent and unpredictable beings. They
may be created by humans for anthropocentric use, but as they will be
creative and unpredictable they might not necessarily stay the way they were
originally intended. MEART’s behavior and the activity of the nerve
cells are subject to a scientific investigation of the biological basis of
learning, memory, and creativity. Douglas Bakkum Born in USA,
lived in Slovakia and France. Received a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering
which provided insight into the workings of the physical world, but he is now
interested in the workings of the mind and its perception of the physical
world. Currently a doctoral student in the Bioengineering Department at
Georgia Tech under the guidance of Steve Potter. Interested in embodying
cultured neurons with robots to study the importance of environment in the
processes of neural networks. Phil Gamblen Born in England,
trained and worked as a gem cutter in Canada before moving to Australia and
migrating into the arts where he graduated with a Honours Degree in Fine Art
(sculpture). Specialises in the use of mechanics, electronics, and robotics
to create kinetic art. Current artworks utilise motion and light to
investigate technological aspects of today’s culture, the overlap of art and
science and the re-use of obsolete and discarded materials. The physical
forces and structures within nature are of great interest to him and are a
constant reference in his work. Guy Ben Ary: Artist, working
in the area of art & biology. Currently living and working in WA. Artist
in resident in SymbioticA – The Art & Science Collaborative Lab.
Specializes in microscopy, biological & digital imaging & artistic
visualization of biological data. His Main research area is cybernetics and
the interface of biological material to robotics. Member of the group that
developed “MEART - the semi living artist”. Collaborated with the Tissue
Culture & Art Project for 4 year. He is also on the development of a new
project titled the “living screen” – Investigating the interface between
BioArt & Film theory. |
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