Among all the 5-in-5 projects, I would say the third project, where I experimented with sunlight and reflective materials, was the most challenging yet also surprising for me. Before conducting the material tests, I didn't expect that simply using sunlight and acrylic could create such fascinating patterns of light and color. However, during the experiment, I often found that after accidentally achieving an ideal light composition, I struggled to recreate the same effect. It was nearly impossible to document every single angle of light sources and reflections. As Harpreet mentioned during the presentation, controlling natural elements is an ongoing challenge. The tension between control and unpredictability, or between artificial and organic, is something I feel really challenging but also interesting to explore and experiment with further.
For the third prototype, I tested two different lighting approaches: natural sunlight and projection, using a scaled-down theater model. After testing, I felt dissatisfied with how the reflections from the Mylar film interacted with the projected visuals; the two elements did not blend together as seamlessly as I had hoped. Later, I received similar feedback, confirming my observations. If I were to continue developing this concept, I would probably need to revisit the core design idea and critically evaluate whether projection is necessary for the piece.
Throughout my 5-in-5 projects, I worked with p5.js, ml5.js, and Arduino, and I see a lot of potential for further development on the technical side. If I had more time, I would like to expand and refine the coding aspects to create a more polished and conceptually aligned interactive experience.
Before 5-in-5, I felt that my research questions and concept statement were somewhat scattered. However, as I worked through each prototype, my research direction has started to become more defined. So far, I plan to continue exploring non-verbal communication, building on my second prototype, with the goal of creating a large-scale 3D hologram installation in a museum. This installation would use motion tracking to capture participants' body movements in real time as they respond to prompts encouraging them to use body language to express common communication scenarios that we typically rely on words for. By layering the movement data of multiple participants, the installation would visualize a collective “non-verbal” language, shaped by individual actions and interactions. Additionally, the movement data will be categorized and presented based on different factors such as age, profession, and cultural background to reveal patterns and variations in non-verbal communication.
For now, I’m considering combining elements from my 2nd, 3rd, and 5th prototypes to create a project with greater cohesion and completeness. I also hope to establish a more defined artistic direction before the midterm. Currently, the project feels artsy and experimental, but I also want to maintain a sense of playfulness. I believe that as I develop my next prototype, I will gain a clearer sense of how to balance these elements and refine the overall direction.
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