Cups and Strings is a public installation which mimics the emotional interaction that can be experienced when children play with a cup and string telephone. Materiality, physicality, and atmosphere play a great role in how comfortable a person feels during an interaction.
Outcome
The installation enables people in a space to have an intimate chat but this interaction would in return to inform the space. It seeks to activate a space whilst the users are not directly engaged with the mass. The partitions are placed in a way to envelop and provide a sense of enclosure, creating a comfortable space to have a dialogue with a random person on the other partition.
The verbal interaction between two users behind the partitions drives the projection on the partitions. Fluid movements of the projection are dependent on the length of the conversation the users can sustain.
The installation takes the form of two partitions that become the elements that affect the space between them. Users sit on a stool behind the partition and interact with the other person through a cup that also houses a Bluetooth enabled mic and a speaker. The fabric on the partition is illuminated with visualizations projected on it and is also visible from the inside. The audio input thus prompts a conversation between two strangers, physically invisible to each other, hopefully creating a sense of intimacy and trust.
1. Fabrication
We initially planned on using something sturdy for the partition, enough for it to be stable on its own. We stuck to 2x2s for the partition frame and had initially planned on using vellum paper instead of the fabric. Based on recommendations for the material to be used for the envelope, we opted to use a white shower curtain. Since the design of the frame initially didn't include a central piece (to enable an unobstructed view of the projection), stretching the fabric across the frame didn't look quite as polished and intentional. Later on, the addition of the central post on the frame helped correct the sag as well as achieve a good finish with the fabric as well. The central piece didn't seem to obstruct the view from the inside as well.
2. Projection and Interaction
a. With our setup, the speech of one user would affect the projection on the other person's partition. This entailed that we use two short-throw projectors that would be able to cover the partitions.
b. The length of HDMI and audio cables were factored in to decide the position of the partitions.
c. The projection was modeled in Processing as it facilitated better graphical design.
d. Windows was the preferred operating system for us as it enabled the use of Processing as well.
e. What we initially planned for the interaction were two sets of a microphone and a speaker. However, we stuck to a Bluetooth speaker with a built-in mic for the interaction. However, we came across an issue on the final day that didn't allow the use of them. The new 2017 MacBook Pro did not detect the built-in mic on the speaker which was detected on a 2015 MacBook Pro.
Final Installation
For our final installation, we used two sets of USB mics for input and didn't include any speakers into the project. The mics were placed at the center so that the users would now be facing the partitions, instead of behind it. Although not as initially planned, this workaround also did help us activate the space between the partitions.
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