Datagrove
Datagrove was a commissioned installation for the Zero1 "Seeking Silicon Valley" Biennial (opening in San Jose, CA - Sept 12 through November 15, 2012) located in the courtyard of the historic California Theater (home of the San Jose Opera) at 345 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA. (map)
Concept Statement: The Datagrove thrives on information from its urban environment. It renders invisible data and atmospheric phenomena into variable intensities of light and sound. It provides shelter and a place of calm to contemplate data streams from sources near and far. The grove’s luminescent fibers gently sway with the breeze and respond to the proximity of visitors with quiet whispering sonic undulations.
The Datagrove is a mysterious and meditative space woven into the rich fabric of San Jose’s South First Street SOFA district and nested in courtyard of the historic California Theater. As one drifts deeper, the grove gradually reveals flowing patterns in cadence with data transmissions both random and meaningful.
Datagrove was produced using advanced digital fabrication techniques and integrates a range of custom electronics including sensors, text to speech modules, LEDS and LCDS. The installation is capable of sensing and responding to people in its immediate proximity. It aggregates local trending Twitter feeds from San Jose and then whispers these back through speakers and LCDs displays woven into the Datagrove. It functions as a social media "whispering wall" that harnesses data that is normally nested and hidden in smart phones, and amplifies this discourse into the public realm.
Lead Designers: Jason Kelly Johnson & Nataly Gattegno
Team: Ripon DeLeon with Osma Dossani and Jonathan Izen, assisted by David Spittler.
All Design, Fabrication and Engineering were completed by Future Cities Lab
Commissioned by: Zero1 (Jaime Austin, Curator), San Jose Public Art Program, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Consultant: Elliot Larson (onehouse.net) created our Twitter trends (xml link)
Technology: Text to Speech Module by TextSpeak, Arduino Mega and Uno, WiFly Shield by Sparkfun, Verizon Mifi, LCD panels by Sparkfun, LEDS by superbrightleds.com (waterproof RGB strips), IR sensors by Sharp
Dimensions: 17'-2" Wide x 7'-8" Deep x 9'-9" Tall
Select Photos by Peter Prato: http://peterprato.com
10/19/12 Architect's Newspaper: http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/archives/48490
New 9/20/12 photos by Peter Prato: http://peterprato.com/architecture/datagrove/
(If you repost them please credit Peter exactly like this: (Photos: Peter Prato - www.peterprato.com)
Interview: http://www.zero1.org/blog/inside-look-future-cities-labs-datagrove
Copyright © 2012, Future Cities Lab. All rights reserved.