+ Virtual 3D Space
The Virtual space was custom designed in 3D using the software Sketchup 3D and rendered in Twinmotion. The export was in the format of a movie file that was imported and looped in TouchDesigner
Qemorpho
An immersive experience design that basses itself in classical futurism. The piece transports the participant into an alchemist’s lab situated in a gothic structure, where they are invited to play with a workstation full of magical apparatus and futuristic technologies while performing alchemy to create a potion.
While alchemy belongs to the ancient times and works with physical materials and transforms physical matter, technologies today enable us to interact with digital materials and help us modify digital matter. This is an inherent quality shared by both that forms a fantastical connection between these two worlds. Qemorpho is built on this primary idea.
Year
2022
Team
Sunidhi Naik
Victoria Gottardi
Wentian Zhu
Scope of Work
Physical Computing
Tools
Creative Coding
Physical Interactions
Networks
TouchDesigner
TouchOSC
LeapMotion
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+ Lighting
Darkness was maintained by drawing blinds, switching off lights and using temporary screens to cut off reflected light from the exhibition space to ensure the quality of light projection was not compromised.
+ Music
To create ambient track, we used a tool called SonicPi - a code-based music creation and performance tool, that allows you to create sounds/music using various musical instruments and live coding synth. It was made in adherence to the theme of classical futurism and alchemy.
+ Network and Devices
+ Costume and Table Setup
The participant was made to wear a golden printed shawl as they entered the space making them the alchemist. The table was laid with curious objects used in alchemy and the occult making the physical table an extension of the digital alchemist’s lab space. These objects could be picked up and interacted with adding a layer of realism to the experience.
+ Technical Details
+ Touch OSC
The interface of touch OSC was customized to accommodate sliders and buttons. The sliders were connected to the parameters of the operators that enabling morphing of the geometry and the buttons were connected to the switch operator to switch between different (geometrical) ingredients.
+ Leap Motion
TouchDesigner features built-in Leap Motion support with position, motion, and gesture data. The built-in Leap Motion CHOP reads hand, finger, tool and gesture data from the Leap Motion controller and outputs as data in TouchDesigner. The distance between two hands was used to change the size of the objects, and used the XYZ position of One Hand to control the rotation of the objects.
+ Design Considerations
+ Touch in/Touch out CHOP
By connecting to the same hotspot, we were able to send data between two TouchDesigner files on different computers. One TouchDesigner file receives data from OSC and sends the data out by using Touch Out CHOP and TouchDesigner receives the data by using Touch In CHOP.
+ From ideation to Alchemy
In the beginning of the ideation process we had a sense of what elements would drive the project. These coupled with technologies brought the parts together to make a whole.
We began by looking at textures of planets and played a group improv session that helped us in brainstorming the final idea.
