From falseeyes at gmail.com Wed Jun 1 10:02:34 2005 From: falseeyes at gmail.com (Jesse MacGregor) Date: Wed Jun 1 10:02:38 2005 Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] Very excited about dorkbot Message-ID: <429dbffa.2777b65a.4a9b.371f@mx.gmail.com> A demo sounds like a great idea to start things off. I'm an embedded software engineer and I work in a cube farm writing software for secure communications systems. I've spent the last 5 years or so tinkering with microcontrollers, control systems, and robotics. I've built a number of proof of concept circuits using range finders, servo and stepper motors, muscle wire, and rotary encoders with RS-232 comms. I've never really put together a completed project based on these, and the circuits I build usually end up being cannibalized for use in the next one. But I've been itching to put something together. I've got a background in computational phsyics and have written some pretty nice visual simulations of gravitational, electrical, and spring forces using OpenGL. I'm very comfortable writing software in C/C++, Java, Perl, PHP, and Assembly. As an aside, I've just started learning to play the piano and I'm getting into music theory. Unfortunately, I don't really have anything to demo right now, but I could certainly patch something together. I would love to do some collaborative work, and I'm looking forward to meeting with you guys sometime this summer. -Jesse From emily at location1.org Thu Jun 2 11:54:49 2005 From: emily at location1.org (emily) Date: Thu Jun 2 10:55:26 2005 Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] =?iso-8859-1?q?Very_excited_about_?= =?iso-8859-1?q?dorkbot=A0?= Message-ID: Hi everyone, I'm working towards becoming a new media curator. I co-curated "Hyper-runt" a new media exhibition for InLiquid last fall, and I have an online project coming up in September, "Alphaville Under Construction." I've worked as a curatorial assistant to Tanya Leighton at the ICA and Carol Stakenas at Creative Time. Before that I worked as a program assistant at Location One, a new media gallery in nyc, where I first became interested in artistic experiments with emerging technologies. In the fall I'm moving back to new york for grad school at Bard's Center for Curatorial Studies. I wrote an article for InLiquids monthly column in art matters (which was published with the wrong author, title, etc. -- retraction coming in the next issue), please see below. I think the wireless plan has incredible potential for the new media community in Philadelphia, I wish I could be around to see how the city changes in response to the network. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ InLiquid.com, being a web-based entity,? is always heartened by developments in expanding public access to the Internet.? Mayor John Street's business plan for Wireless? Philadelphia, announced on April 7 after months of negotiations to find a feasible strategy? for? creating a citywide wireless network, could be a significant step toward integrating the creative resources and cultural enrichment available on the Internet into the fabric of? everyone's day-to-day activities.?? On a civic level, the plan promises that by providing? affordable broadband Internet access the city will experience enhanced quality? of life, a marked improvement in the? economy, and a bridging of the digital? divide. The proposed services,? slated to be fully available by the summer of? 2006, include providing? low-cost Internet access to businesses and residents,? and to provide? free wireless access in public parks, a feature that may hold the? greatest possibility for creative experimentation. Wireless nodes? are now? available in Love Park, along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway,? in Reading Terminal? Market, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center,? and around the South Street? district. As this extensive wireless? network is implemented, it is important to? consider the implications? of this infrastructure for cultural production in? Philadelphia,? in particular, the potential to foster the new media community and? give rise to new forms of digital culture.? As? citywide wireless networks are increasingly investigated and deployed,? with networks already in place in cities such as Ashland, OR and? Birmingham, AL? (with major cities such as Chicago, Amsterdam and? London in the initial research? phases), there has been a proliferation? of research and exploratory projects? devoted to examining the? impact of wireless on urban environments. Artists have? contributed? significantly to this process, investigating topics such as the? potential for wireless networks to decentralize media production,? to cultivate? social aspects of technology, and to give rise to? collaboration through the? formation of ad-hoc networks. Examples of? projects that have stimulated? technological innovation and investigated? the discursive possibilities of? wireless networks and their associated? mobile technologies (laptops, cell? phones, PDAs, GPS devices,? etc.)? in other cities are Urban Tapestries developed? by Giles? Lane, based in London; and Umbrella.net by Katherine Moriwaki and Johan Brucker-Cohen? from Trinity College, Dublin.?? Urban? Tapestries (http://urbantapestries.net)? is a research project that attempts to explore? the social uses of wireless networks and? technologies through? public authoring, a process for sharing experiences by? placing? wireless annotations in precise locations in the city that can later? be? received on mobile devices by individuals passing through that? space. As an? investigation into the social possibilities of ubiquitous? wireless networks,? Urban Tapestries functions as a form of digital? oral history, exploring the? ability for individuals to share their? experiences while continuing to live? within the anonymity of the? city. Umbrella.net (http://www.undertheumbrella.net/) is a tool? for creating? transitional networks in cities between individuals? brought together by chance? conditions.? The system is composed? of umbrellas outfitted with PDA?s and? software to automatically? connect to other similarly configured umbrellas when? it is raining.?? The project allows individuals with wireless umbrellas within a? given range to chat with one another and provides a map detailing? the locations? of active umbrellas. Of course, the synergy that developments between a particular community? and? a technology can vary widely and are impossible to predict, so it will be interesting to witness how the creative? practitioners of Philadelphia resolve their relationship with? and contribute to this emerging? field as it unfolds. From douglas at music.columbia.edu Thu Jun 2 11:28:09 2005 From: douglas at music.columbia.edu (douglas irving repetto) Date: Thu Jun 2 11:28:18 2005 Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] Very excited about dorkbot In-Reply-To: <429dbffa.2777b65a.4a9b.371f@mx.gmail.com> References: <429dbffa.2777b65a.4a9b.371f@mx.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi all, I'm Douglas, I started the first dorkbot in NYC. I head down to Philadelphia fairly often, as my mom lives in the suburbs (I grew up in Havertown). Chris Vecchio got things started for dorkbot-philadelphia, but he's too busy now to really get things going, so hopefully someone else can step forward to organize a meeting. dorkbot meetings are typically very casual and informal, so even just inviting people over to your studio (or living room or ???) to talk about each other's work is terrific. There's a page on the dorkbot site that has some info/ideas about meetings that might be helpful: http://dorkbot.org/startadorkbot/ Let me known if I can help in some way. And hopefully I'll be in town for a dorkbot meeting sometime soon. I'd love to see what you're all up to. douglas -- ............................................... http://artbots.org .....douglas.....irving........................ http://dorkbot.org ................................ http://ceait.calarts.edu/musicdsp .......... repetto............. http://music.columbia.edu/organism ............................... http://music.columbia.edu/~douglas From cvecchio at spectrasonics.com Thu Jun 2 15:01:40 2005 From: cvecchio at spectrasonics.com (Chris Vecchio, PhD) Date: Thu Jun 2 15:02:39 2005 Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] Very excited about dorkbot References: <429dbffa.2777b65a.4a9b.371f@mx.gmail.com> Message-ID: <03e901c567a5$8e9a7880$6401a8c0@chris> It's sounding like this list could also be good source for networking regarding non-art-related engineering activities as well! In my day job I design medical ultrasound equipment and custom instrumentation for medical and ultrasound researchers. I'm pretty well versed in analog (RF, audio, and some vacuum tube), digital, and software (C++, visual C++, FORTRAN....) design. I'm also on the board of a local contemporary exhibition space: www.nexusphiladelphia.org which, if we want, we can use for future Dorkbot meetings or events. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner, but since I work frequently in NYC, I just signed up for the NY dorkbot. Unfortunately they're on vacation until September but I will try to go to some of their meetings and see if I can get some ideas. - Chris ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jesse MacGregor" > I'm an embedded software engineer and I work in a cube farm writing software > for secure communications systems. > > I've spent the last 5 years or so tinkering with microcontrollers, control > systems, and robotics. I've built a number of proof of concept circuits > using range finders, servo and stepper motors, muscle wire, and rotary > encoders with RS-232 comms. I've never really put together a completed > project based on these, and the circuits I build usually end up being > cannibalized for use in the next one. But I've been itching to put > something together. > > I've got a background in computational phsyics and have written some pretty > nice visual simulations of gravitational, electrical, and spring forces > using OpenGL. I'm very comfortable writing software in C/C++, Java, Perl, > PHP, and Assembly. > > As an aside, I've just started learning to play the piano and I'm getting > into music theory. > > Unfortunately, I don't really have anything to demo right now, but I could > certainly patch something together. > > I would love to do some collaborative work, and I'm looking forward to > meeting with you guys sometime this summer. > > -Jesse From douglas at music.columbia.edu Thu Jun 9 13:10:57 2005 From: douglas at music.columbia.edu (douglas irving repetto) Date: Thu Jun 9 13:11:05 2005 Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] Fwd: Science Art Opportunity at The Franklin Institute Science Museum Message-ID: Sounds like fun & perfect for folks on this list... >Dear Artists and Scientists, > >In celebration of the opening of the new exhibit, /Sir Isaac's Loft: >Where Art and Physics Collide/, The Franklin Institute is hosting Sir >Isaac's 28-Hour Sci/Art Jam. *Six Sir Isaac's Sci/Art Jam grant >recipients will be given a thousand dollars and 28 hours to create art >based on one of the themes represented in /Sir Isaac's Loft/*. The >pieces will be created in The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial where >visitors can watch the creative process in action. > >The clock on Sir Isaac's 28-Hour Sci/Art Jam will start ticking at >_11:00AM on July 15_ and stop ticking at _3:00PM on July 16_. The >artists will then share with visitors what they were able to create in >the time allotted. > >The six themes in /Sir Isaac's Loft/ are: >* >Changing The Light:* Changing the light changes what you see. >* >Chain Reactions:* Chain reactions need a push to get started and then >keep going. > >*Combining Motions:* Combining simple motions creates complex patterns. > >*Physics Feats Of Strength*: Knowing physics allows you to do things >that you could not before. >* >Energy Transfer:* Energy can be transferred from one thing to another or >from one form to another. >* >Illusions:* Artists use science to fool with your brain > >For more information and to apply for one of the grants please click the >following URL http://www.fi.edu/tfi/exhibits/jam.html Here you will >also find an electronic application for one of the six grants and a PDF >that describes the core exhibit in more detail. >**All grant submissions must be in by June 22nd.** > > >Thank you for your interest, > >Mike Levad > >-- >Mike Levad >The Franklin Institute >Exhibit / Program Developer >e-mail: mlevad@fi.edu >phone: 215.448.1309 >fax: 215.448.1188 -- ............................................... http://artbots.org .....douglas.....irving........................ http://dorkbot.org ................................ http://ceait.calarts.edu/musicdsp .......... repetto............. http://music.columbia.edu/organism ............................... http://music.columbia.edu/~douglas From cvecchio at spectrasonics.com Thu Jun 9 13:51:39 2005 From: cvecchio at spectrasonics.com (Chris Vecchio, PhD) Date: Thu Jun 9 13:52:05 2005 Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] Fwd: Science Art Opportunity at The Franklin Institute Science Museum References: Message-ID: <2f5d01c56d1b$e6b19730$6401a8c0@chris> Doug, How did you get that announcement before me?? I was just talking to them about this the other day. Sounds like a fun opportunity. - Chris ----- Original Message ----- From: "douglas irving repetto" To: Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2005 1:10 PM Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] Fwd: Science Art Opportunity at The Franklin Institute Science Museum > > Sounds like fun & perfect for folks on this list... > > > >Dear Artists and Scientists, > > > >In celebration of the opening of the new exhibit, /Sir Isaac's Loft: > >Where Art and Physics Collide/, The Franklin Institute is hosting Sir > >Isaac's 28-Hour Sci/Art Jam. *Six Sir Isaac's Sci/Art Jam grant > >recipients will be given a thousand dollars and 28 hours to create art > >based on one of the themes represented in /Sir Isaac's Loft/*. The > >pieces will be created in The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial where > >visitors can watch the creative process in action. > > > >The clock on Sir Isaac's 28-Hour Sci/Art Jam will start ticking at > >_11:00AM on July 15_ and stop ticking at _3:00PM on July 16_. The > >artists will then share with visitors what they were able to create in > >the time allotted. > > > >The six themes in /Sir Isaac's Loft/ are: > >* > >Changing The Light:* Changing the light changes what you see. > >* > >Chain Reactions:* Chain reactions need a push to get started and then > >keep going. > > > >*Combining Motions:* Combining simple motions creates complex patterns. > > > >*Physics Feats Of Strength*: Knowing physics allows you to do things > >that you could not before. > >* > >Energy Transfer:* Energy can be transferred from one thing to another or > >from one form to another. > >* > >Illusions:* Artists use science to fool with your brain > > > >For more information and to apply for one of the grants please click the > >following URL http://www.fi.edu/tfi/exhibits/jam.html Here you will > >also find an electronic application for one of the six grants and a PDF > >that describes the core exhibit in more detail. > >**All grant submissions must be in by June 22nd.** > > > > > >Thank you for your interest, > > > >Mike Levad > > > >-- > >Mike Levad > >The Franklin Institute > >Exhibit / Program Developer > >e-mail: mlevad@fi.edu > >phone: 215.448.1309 > >fax: 215.448.1188 > > > -- > ............................................... http://artbots.org > .....douglas.....irving........................ http://dorkbot.org > ................................ http://ceait.calarts.edu/musicdsp > .......... repetto............. http://music.columbia.edu/organism > ............................... http://music.columbia.edu/~douglas > ........................................................................ > .........dorkbot: people doing strange things with electricity.......... > ......................... http://dorkbot.org ........................... > ........................................................................ > From douglas at music.columbia.edu Thu Jun 9 14:03:44 2005 From: douglas at music.columbia.edu (douglas irving repetto) Date: Thu Jun 9 14:03:46 2005 Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] Fwd: Science Art Opportunity at The Franklin Institute Science Museum In-Reply-To: <2f5d01c56d1b$e6b19730$6401a8c0@chris> References: <2f5d01c56d1b$e6b19730$6401a8c0@chris> Message-ID: I got it via a UK-based "creative robotics network" email list...I almost ignored it at first, as usually their stuff isn't applicable, but the Franklin Institute part sounded familiar... douglas >Doug, > >How did you get that announcement before me?? >I was just talking to them about this the other day. >Sounds like a fun opportunity. > >- Chris > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "douglas irving repetto" >To: >Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2005 1:10 PM >Subject: [dorkbotphiladelphia-blabber] Fwd: Science Art Opportunity at The >Franklin Institute Science Museum > > >> >> Sounds like fun & perfect for folks on this list... >> >> >> >Dear Artists and Scientists, >> > >> >In celebration of the opening of the new exhibit, /Sir Isaac's Loft: >> >Where Art and Physics Collide/, The Franklin Institute is hosting Sir >> >Isaac's 28-Hour Sci/Art Jam. *Six Sir Isaac's Sci/Art Jam grant >> >recipients will be given a thousand dollars and 28 hours to create art >> >based on one of the themes represented in /Sir Isaac's Loft/*. The >> >pieces will be created in The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial where >> >visitors can watch the creative process in action. >> > >> >The clock on Sir Isaac's 28-Hour Sci/Art Jam will start ticking at >> >_11:00AM on July 15_ and stop ticking at _3:00PM on July 16_. The >> >artists will then share with visitors what they were able to create in >> >the time allotted. >> > >> >The six themes in /Sir Isaac's Loft/ are: >> >* >> >Changing The Light:* Changing the light changes what you see. >> >* >> >Chain Reactions:* Chain reactions need a push to get started and then >> >keep going. >> > >> >*Combining Motions:* Combining simple motions creates complex patterns. >> > >> >*Physics Feats Of Strength*: Knowing physics allows you to do things >> >that you could not before. >> >* >> >Energy Transfer:* Energy can be transferred from one thing to another or >> >from one form to another. >> >* >> >Illusions:* Artists use science to fool with your brain >> > >> >For more information and to apply for one of the grants please click the >> >following URL http://www.fi.edu/tfi/exhibits/jam.html Here you will >> >also find an electronic application for one of the six grants and a PDF >> >that describes the core exhibit in more detail. >> >**All grant submissions must be in by June 22nd.** >> > >> > >> >Thank you for your interest, >> > >> >Mike Levad >> > >> >-- >> >Mike Levad >> >The Franklin Institute >> >Exhibit / Program Developer >> >e-mail: mlevad@fi.edu >> >phone: 215.448.1309 >> >fax: 215.448.1188 >> >> >> -- >> ............................................... http://artbots.org >> .....douglas.....irving........................ http://dorkbot.org >> ................................ http://ceait.calarts.edu/musicdsp >> .......... repetto............. http://music.columbia.edu/organism >> ............................... http://music.columbia.edu/~douglas >> ........................................................................ >> .........dorkbot: people doing strange things with electricity.......... >> ......................... http://dorkbot.org ........................... >> ........................................................................ >> > >........................................................................ >.........dorkbot: people doing strange things with electricity.......... >......................... http://dorkbot.org ........................... >........................................................................ -- ............................................... http://artbots.org .....douglas.....irving........................ http://dorkbot.org ................................ http://ceait.calarts.edu/musicdsp .......... repetto............. http://music.columbia.edu/organism ............................... http://music.columbia.edu/~douglas