Kenny J Smith

My initial concept is to create a laser projector that is controlled by audio data from cassette tape loops. The mixture of analog and digital media will make for an exciting experience.

Analog tape loops are an old method of making repetitive samples, this method has been replaced by digital samplers and computers. The advantage of using cassette tape is it is more physically tactile than using digital devices. This advantage is important when interacting with musical devices, a good example is the preference of a dj to use a vinyl turntable over a digital substitute. more about tape loops

The use of lasers to visualise audio is common but the visual result is usually forms made by curved lines. A common method of achieving this is directing a laser at some mirrors that are mounted on speakers. The difference in my project will be that the projection will a rectangular screen of monochrome moving image. While the picture won’t look quite as sharp as a video projector, it will have a unique look.

The laser beam will be directed by two mirrors, each connected to a stepper motor and the brightness of the laser beam will be changed by different currents. The two stepper motors will accurately point the beam of light in a horizontal and vertical direction.

The physical interface is made with an upside down optical mouse, with see through plastic on top and fake fur on the plastic. When the fur is touched or stroked, the optical mouse detects the movement. Another interesting aspect is that mouse light causes the fur to glow, especially when the fur is touched and the mouse comes out of standby mode.

The digital lion head morphs between a real living lion and the strange taxidermy lion, the layers are morphed one at a time when the mouse is moved. At the start it is the real lion and then it’s nose becomes worn, until the whole lion is changed, it than waits for a few seconds and changes back. Here is an example http://www.vimeo.com/1525028 

This photo shows how the display would look if it was mounted on a wall.

This is the final stage of the morph.

I have decided to change my concept, building a whole model of a lion was going to take to long and would also have problems with its durability if it was going to be on display.

In my new concept, the lions head will be on a digital screen and the interaction will be controlled by a simple touch pad. By using a simple device, hopefully the display will be more durable.

This sketch illustrates the display, the touch pad is made of fake fur and is where you would expect the lion’s body to be.

As for the head, I have been experimenting with animated layers of masked images, this gives an interesting 3d effect. To see an experiment click on this link- http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=-I2xSE06pVI

The retelling of King Dick’s tale is going to be based on the taxidermied lion as a memento and how with time and wear, the memorial to Richard Seddon becomes less realistic and more of a legend.