Outcome

PROCESS

Our process was a rigorous investigation of site, appropriate and realistic use of sensors, and exploration of Camschnapper + Kantan Mapper. We started with acquiring some fake moss stones that would hold up during our tests. After arranging them for a 3D scan, the Scandy app generated a 3D model which we exported to an .obj format to drag into TouchDesigner. The basic layout of our TouchDesigner file mapped real-time moisture data to the amplitude of a water-like generated visual. We used CamSchnappr to exactly map the visuals onto each individual stone.

Materials:

Artificial Moss Stones

TouchDesigner099

Mini Projector + HDMI

SparkFun Soil Moisture Sensor + Arduino

Fujifilm XT2 for film 

iPhone X + Scandy for 3D Scanning

PROJECT INTENT

The Griffin’s were looking for a dynamic installation which would “amplify the natural feeling of the space” and reveal invisible natural phenomena. Through their guidelines, we discerned an intense respect for the land they live on, as well as a fascination for the magical and inexplicable circumstances of life. Sam and Dale’s favorite moment of the day is when they get to sit together on their porch after dinner, sharing a glass of whiskey and listening to the sounds originating from their garden.

We created an ode to rare garden elements, namely moisture, and were largely inspired by enhancing natural forms rather than re-inventing them. As a projection target, we picked the potted moss -- a repetitive pattern across the garden. The plant, which grows in spherical motifs, was augmented by projecting flowing shapes onto their surface. The sensor we used to acquire information about the world tracks soil moisture because moss, which usually thrives in wet climates, is being kept alive through careful daily watering in the dry Palo Alto climate.

The white-yellow light mixed with dark shadows will accentuate the moss shapes, without distracting. The animation itself moves slowly and organically, creating a peaceful environment for the Griffin’s to relax in.