Vexing

Was up all night trying to get the “hi” object in max/msp to recognize my USB postal scale… but without luck. Apparently max doesn’t think I have any HID’s (human interface devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, game controller… postal scale…) plugged into the computer. I can see all of them in my system preferences as HID’s, but not through max’s menu object. Scoured forums across the web for hours to no avail. Very frustrating- any help would be welcome on this… I kinda need this basic input to work if this project is going to happen. Worst case scenario though, I would possibly have to do all my work in the grad lab on one of the Mac’s there… which would be a huge pain.

One more thing… Right before going to bed, it RANDOMLY decided to recognize a game controller HID… ! GAH!

Audio, to play or not to…play

So I worked out some audio bits and spatial play that can be used with viewer interaction and selection of trash. May also provide the levity I am looking for- startling sounds from the peaceful/tranquil waterscape- rather overdramatic- and yet not- Sonification of litter, I don’t want it to be sarcastic in the portrayal, and yet still be playful… and educationally… depressing? No, evocative. Yes.

That’s all for tonight, I’m sure it will all be changed around soon anyways- Ideas are so…

Whoooa…

So I bought my scale, it’s a… “United States Postal Service Ps30Usb 30-Lb Digital Calculating Scale With USB Pc Connection & Software”

Does not work with macs apparently so that means I may need to get my own version of max so I can run it on my pc laptop… we’ll see when it gets here.

My thinking is that I can make every piece of trash have a distinct weight (as long as it’s more than .1 ounce). This way I can magically manifest its tagged image (which I will already have recorded in the system) on the screen or projection (I haven’t decided which yet ….).

I have been contemplating the aesthetics of the piece as well. The one weak spot that this project could really suffer/breakdown is on the presentation- visualization- animation- because of complications in fractioning narratives and the multi-garbage selection capabilities of the audience. In order for a successful exhibition that won’t need to take place in the year 2098 (when it may be too late for the project to save the entire world!!), a simplification or quaintness needs to occur. Coincidentally, I have come to the realization that I have a plethora of photos (beautiful waterscapes I have taken) that can be used as backdrops for simple, yet visually stimulating animations of the objects traveling through… I am not sure how exactly it will be different form one object to the next- but it may be nice thematically… I also have to contend with simplifications of various variables, such as time frames, geographical locations, etc.

Also, audio time!
Surround sound… would be simply splendid.
Having 12 plus hours of video and audio of creeks, rivers, water, whatever, from the documentary I made on the Clavey river (soon screening at the earthvision international film festival!), I have more than enough audio recordings for designing the water-space- and interpretation of transit. Mix it with interactive sound effects… still thinking… maybe word recognition of commands… my… brain hurts…

MAX:
I need to cycle through videos based on input from the usb scale interface thingy- pull up proper image for corresponding object. Need transitions from one vid to the next based on additional user input.

Communication and humor… need to be central themes- I’m working on their integration.

That’s all I have for now.

I thunk about it

Some brain storm ideas for what I will need….

-Scale for reading weight of trash. Possibly USB postal scale
-activation sensor, (activate garbage bin for weight)
-max patch for processing these inputs to Flash for animation
-various animations- story lines, narratives- of trash
-animation in either flash or after effects
-audio sensors, mic + possible voice recognition- for interaction without interface

an Idea…

Project code phrase: “trash travels”

Premise: There is very little to no public awareness on the traveling itinerary of what’s thrown away as trash. Careless ‘trashers’ and even well intentioned recyclers may not fully understand the process and larger impact of all that is discarded.

How then should one bring interest and awareness to the impacts of such common and assumptive waste and where it really ends up? What role does the common person play? How can one make this directly engaging, not preachy, not boring, not omg-I’m-an awful-wasting-cur-and-will-end-my-life-now seriousness, and still carry a high impact level?

The rough idea stages of this project are thus:
The ability to take a physical item thrown away or recycled, identify it, and visually demonstrate (digitally) its process of travel/breakdown and effect.

-Multiplies the item visually for a better representation of statistical data and the breakdown of travel, separation, and fractioning possibilities of destination

-Statistical data in perspective and visualized, animated with interactive choices and narratives.

-Interactive with the physical, real trash and physical motions and action for digital choices seen.