Description:

HolyCampFire, 2018 by Emilie Trice (website link)

Multi-media interactive sculpture/videoDimensions & duration variableHourglass, PhosChek, Arduino, Accelerometer, Max programming

Video 1 – comprised of found digital media footage on wildfires including the Camp Fire, Woolsey Fire & Holy Fire

Video 2 – selected scenes from the Disney cartoon movies “Bambi” and “Planes: Fire & Rescue”

Music by Cat Power (V1) and Hot Chip (V2)

THIS ART PROJECT WAS CREATED FOR DENVER UNIVERSITY's MFA - EMERGENT DIGITAL PRACTICES 2018.

THE HOURGLASS IS FILLED WITH PHOS CHEK – THE PINK FIRE RETARDANT USED IN FIGHTING WILDFIRES.

WHEN CONNECTED TO AN ARDUINO & ACCELEROMETER SENSOR, THE HOURGLASS BECOMES A CONTROLLER TO TOGGLE BETWEEN TWO VIDEOS RELATING TO THE MAJOR 2018 CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES (Holy Fire, Woolsey Fire, Camp Fire). IT ALSO CONTROLS THE VOLUME OF THE SOUNDTRACK.

MOVIES WERE CREATED IN IMOVIE AND DROPPED INTO A MAX PATCHER. SCREENSHOTS BELOW OF MAX PATCHES.

EXPANDED TECHNICAL DETAILS

Algorithmic Interactive Media Interface

This creative installation uses the metaphor of an "Hourglass" to control complex video and audio parameters on a PC via the MAX/MSP environment.

• Inclination-Based CC Mapping: The Arduino (using an accelerometer) detects the physical orientation and "Flip" of the controller. This analog inclination data is mapped to MIDI Control Change (CC) messages.
• MAX/MSP Spectral Synthesis: The PC receives the MIDI data; as the user "Flips" the controller, MAX/MSP alters the video playback speed or applies "Granular Synthesis" to the audio, creating a physical sensation of "TIME" manipulation.

Performance

• Zero-Latency Telemetry Stream: Optimized for high-speed serial-to-MIDI communication, ensuring the media reacts instantly to the user's physical movements.