A Leap Motion-controlled, digital garden

[ Pause Fest, Fed Square, Aus - 2015 ]

 

Flow is an interactive work by Ethno Tekh, commissioned by Fed Square’s Creative Program and co-produced for Pause Festival 2015.

The piece places the you at the centre of a futuristic garden, bathing you in light and sound. By charging the core with your hand, you guide the flow of light and sound around you to build up an immersive forest soundscape.

 

Concept & Design

  • Ethno Tekh

Interaction programming / volumetric lighting system (Unity 3D)

  • Brad Hammond
  • Stephen Burns

Interactive audio systems / sound design (Max/MSP/Max For Live/Ableton)

  • Chris Vik

Electronics

  • Jack Hurley
  • Chris Vik
  • Stephen Burns

Electronics assistant

  • Cliff Warren
  • Aday

 

 

 

Flower design / creation

  • Catharina Schürenberg
  • Rebecca Funn

Sculpture design

  • Brad Hammond
  • Travis Hammond

Sculpture fabrication

  • Brad Hammond
  • Travis Hammond
  • Khat Hammond
  • Adrian Hammond

Co-production / event

  • Pause Fest 

Commissioned by

  • Federation Square Creative department

 

Build

 

Build

Flow used a number of custom-made systems to integrate user interaction with fully real-time generated lighting and sound.

 

Computer hardware

  • Windows PC :: hosting all custom software
  • 4 Port Wifi Router :: Pixel Pusher networking and remote access

Input panel hardware

  • Leap Motion Controller :: Interaction motion input controller
  • 4 x NeoPixel 1/4 60 ring LEDs :: Hand panel lighting
  • 6 x NeoPixel Stick 8 LEDs :: Hand panel lighting
  • Arduino UNO :: Hand panel LED interfacing

Main LED hardware

  • 2 x Pixel Pushers :: PC -> LED communication
  • Meanwell SP-320-5 :: LED power supply
  • 40+ meters 5050 8806 LEDs :: Lighting for flower stem/roots

Sound hardware

  • Komplete Audio 6 :: 4-channel audio output
  • 4 x 8″ Wharfedale Pro Titan :: 4-point surround

 

Software environments

  • Unity 3D
    • Input
    • Game/state
    • Volumetric lighting control/mapping
  • Ableton Live / Max For Live
    • Sound design
    • Interactive audio systems
  • Processing
    • Pixel Pusher communication bridge