I'm here

Title:

I'm here 

Credit:

This project was conducted during the responsive mobile environment course taught by Daragh Byrne under the theme of spooky technology—special thanks to the teaching assistant, Zhenfang Chen.

Description:

In Korean shamanism, Gasin is considered a type of deity that is believed to safeguard specific objects, families, and spaces within a house. Multiple gods reside in every house room, each responsible for different tasks to ensure our well-being. Among them is Jowangshin, the Goddess of fire and the hearth, who resides in the kitchen. Customs such as carrying fire when moving homes, bringing matches to a new home, or a habit of not extinguishing the fire originated from worshiping her. A belief in the kitchen goddess suggests that families thrive when she is respected. Have you ever been aware of her presence in your own home? Did you show her your respect yet?

The project aims to materialize the presence of Jowangshin, the Goddess of the kitchen and fire, in a way that can be perceptible to people. The intention is to manifest her existence in a delicate and imperceptible yet sensible manner, achieved through breath. Breath is a crucial aspect of one's being, and the sensation of air from breathing represents the embodiment of existence.

Object 1: Puff

The movement of wind, essentially the flow of air, prompted contemplation on the breath. Breath animates all living beings, an undeniable aspect of existence. Despite this, feeling someone's breath is rare as it requires close proximity. However, sensing someone's breath on the back creates a mysterious feeling of presence, almost like someone is following them.

Object 2: Oven & Fire Blow Pipe

The Goddess of fire and the hearth, Jowangshin, is known to communicate her emotions through the intensity of the oven's flames. When the fire is not strong enough, she may express her unhappiness, as it can affect the cooking process. It is important to honor her role and assist in creating a large fire to show respect for her work.

Assist her in creating the large flame by using the fire blowpipe.

Process:

This project was the second revision of the previous project; I'm here. It is a machine that produces air and is activated by human movements, such as entering a room. The machine stops producing wind breath- once the person notices the air and responds with a blow. Initially, The structure aimed to be built behind the wall to be invisible like the spooky entities. This experience was created using multiple input and output modules. The PIR sensor can detect movement within approximately 10m of the sensor. The machine produced a puff of air with the help of a blower and a relay to control the air movement. To stop the airflow, I utilized a flax sensor to detect it.

Following the initial demonstration, there were significant changes made to the physical form. Firstly, the two parts were separated, and their shapes were concealed within kitchen objects for camouflage. The first object, named "Puff," was designed to resemble a cookbook and create the Goddess's breath. The second object, "Oven & Fire Blow Pipe," pays tribute to the wood-burning stove, which the Goddess reveres. A wind fan was incorporated into the fire blowpipe to add an entertaining element and indicate where to blow air.

After three parts were set, the inner constructions and each component's interaction. The sensor for the Puff has been changed to an ultrasonic distance sensor to detect the user better, as the previous PIR sensor was too sensitive to any movement and unsuitable for the exhibition. The 3D printer prints the exterior, and the pages are laser cut due to the long 3D printing time. Since the size of the book was large, two parts were printed and glued together.

The Oven and the Fire Blow Pipe communicate through Bluetooth. The Fire Blow Pipe has a wind sensor to detect the wind speed, and it is the central device. Then the Oven received the data as a peripheral device and changed the brightness of the yellow light. It is also connected with the DFplayer with the fireplace sound, and the volume of the sound should be enlarged while the brightness of the light. Unfortunately, the speaker and the DFplyer's instability were not powerful enough. The Bluetooth speaker was used in the exhibition to create the sound effect. Due to the sequential play on the Arduino code, the default flame was independently controlled with the Arduino Pro Micro.

Build:

The visitor's interactions inspired exhibition planning and vice versa. I considered how visitors would be invited and experience three objects. Most of all, creating the kitchen environment was physically and temporally challenging. Multi-modality and physical interaction would be enjoyable moments. That is how the sound effect came along. In other words, three senses were used: vision, audio, and haptic.

The shadows of the walls and kitchen furniture were printed to enhance the immersive feel of the space. This added a dimension of depth and texture to the area. Real books and blankets were also added to the room, serving a dual purpose of decoration and concealment of objects. The overall effect is a cozy and inviting environment that feels both lived-in and visually interesting.

The attention to detail in the design of the space is evident, and the thoughtful incorporation of small elements like shadows and books adds a sense of authenticity and warmth. This space is functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it a comfortable and enjoyable place to spend time.

Roadmap:

In creating the second version of this project, I aimed to provide a tangible interpretation of traditional stories. I utilized recognizable objects from Western culture and modern times to make the experience easily accessible to a broader audience. However, I am also interested in exploring the abstract interpretation of the story. There is potential for this story to inspire other narratives that examine the experience of breathing.

Creating a literal interpretation of the story was a deliberate choice. I wanted to ensure the general public could easily understand and appreciate the experience. By using concrete objects that are familiar to our culture, the story becomes more relatable and accessible. It is a way to bridge the gap between traditional storytelling and modern audiences.

However, I am also curious about the abstract interpretation of the story. This version of the story can provide a different experience for the audience. It allows for more personal understanding and introspection. By abstractly presenting the story, the audience can connect with it on a deeper level. They can explore their feelings and experiences with the story.

Furthermore, I am interested in exploring how this story could inspire other narratives that involve the experience of breathing. Breathing is a fundamental aspect of our existence, yet it is often overlooked. By examining the experience of breathing, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our connection to the world around us. It is a way to explore our humanity and our connection to the universe.