show relationship between The Hominid Frog, The Pygmy Mole Rat and The Simethyltryptamine Slug
movements of these animals
Sketch Model
We used straws to represents the mole rat’s tunnel. However the globules we made could not flow through due to the joining. We felt that it will be interesting if the audience gets to see movement of the globules. Hence, we replaced it with a transparent air tube and made the globules colourful.
Making of Final Model
We added a lot of globules, we thought that by doing so, we could reduce the amount of time for it to travel through the air tubes. However, we realised that it will cause a jam. It takes a long time before it exits.
We remove all the globules and tried putting in 5-8 globules. It only takes 6 pumps for the globules to exit the 5metres air tubes. It was much faster than what we expected.
How we show movement of animals
The Simethyltryptamine Slug (globules)- leaves a trail on the baking paper
The Hominid Frog (plastic cup) – shows the jumping motion
The Pygmy Mole-Rats (toy car)- creates the scratch marks, move forward and backwards with an equal speed.
The Simethyltryptamine Slug produce a special chemical, (globules), The Hominid Frog(plastic cup) will follow the slug to absorb these molecules. These molecules will land on the Hominid Frog. When the frog releases its feces, the Pygmy Mole-Rats (toy car) uses the frog’s feces to line the entrance of their burrows.
Group members: Joseph, Frederick, Samantha, Reuben and Jiaying
First Week
References: Running Man, Pokemon Go
We were inspired by Running man as they create a narrative and by having games to help them uncover the mystery. They also have a segment where each player have a name tag and they need to ensure that it not removed by others in order for them to survive throughout the game.
We also took reference from Pokemon Go. We intend to create a map through the application called World Brush. World Brush is an AR experience that lets users draw for others to discover. The drawings are only visible at the location where it was created. This app helps to merge the virtual and real world.
Initially the location we wanted to use was Chinese Garden. And with the buildings and sculptures being very Chinese Asian style. We felt that we could towards this theme. So the players would look for treasures such as orbs to increase their powers. And the power help them to challenge the final boss and to win the game.
Different Elements: Water, Fire, Earth and Air.
However, we require the groups to be connected to facebook live. Hence, wifi would be a problem. Our project relies heavily on the internet. Thus, we decide to change the location. We though of places like shopping malls. However, we are not sure if we could use those spaces and we are also afraid that the wifi signal is not strong. Therefore, we decide to work within the school. So there are three spaces that we thought would be possible, Chinese Heritage Centre’s Garden, The Hive and ADM. Our first choice is the garden we thought that it is the closet link to Chinese Garden. However, the garden was under renovation. And the nearest location was Chinese Heritage Centre.
– 4 groups with 3 players
– Each group would be given a element to represent themselves
– Different Stages
– Used of World Brush to draw out the map (find treasures)
– They have to collect as many treasures to increase their power
– Mini games and quest along the way
– Complete those games to get to the next stage
– Used of Facebook live to connect with the game masters.
Week 2 ( Trial Run)
Problems: We had our trail run one week before the actual game. Our initial location was Chinese Heritage Centre but the building turns out to be a learning centre. It was very quiet and the amount of space we can use for the game was limited. It makes us afraid that making noise would not be allowed. Because of this, we had to find a new location and rethink the narrative.
We decided to change the location to the Hive. The looks of the building reminds us of the bee hives and thus we create a narrative based on the bees.
Narrative: Queen Bee is killed by the assassinator, and the players had to find out and kill the assassinator. If a player successful kill the assassinator, he/she take the throne as the new ruler. However, the assassinator wants to kill everyone to be the ruler, be careful!
We started by going around hive to find some out the interesting features. The hive have a total of 8 levels.There is a lot of public spaces and it suitable for us the run and make noise.
Before our trail run, we had to draw the map on the World Brush app. However, we had some issues. After drawing the map, we realised that the outcome did not match what we drew. The app could not recognise some areas and the drawing shifted. Other difficulties was that the map overlapped each other. The drawings on level 1 could be seen from the over levels above. Other thing we realised was that it was the submission period. It was difficult to find people that would participate in our game.
How we solve it: After the trial run, we felt that the mini games are taking up too much time and the players may be bored of it. Thus, we scale down the game and allow it to flow faster. And because of that we reduce it to 2 person per team. And to solve the world brush app problem, we dare the paths level by level, with each path ending and starting at the stairs. Then the player would have to draw the conclusion and link the dots at places without the drawn path. We also separate the routes by using different colours. Each colour represent the route for each element.
Final Week
Roles of the audience and group member: The fours groups will be accompanied by the team masters, the role of the team masters was to help facilitate the games and to record down the process. And one of the group member is the spy in the game.
Stages: There are three stages. The game starts of with the player receiving a code. In their groups, they have to crack the code in order to receive hints of where the power(element) is located. After they have collected their element, they will receive the last mission. Which is to find out who is the assassinator. Half way through the game, the MPC will announced that assassinator is among them.
First Stage: These codes were inspired by the mobile phone key pads. These codes will reveal their element.
Second Stage: This video shows one of the player finding their element.
During the execution day, there were a couple of unexpected scenarios. First would be the waiting time. After the participants got to their location, they had to wait for the game master to send out the mission. However during our trial run, the five of us try out our own game. We are aware of what we are suppose to do and where are those elements hidden at. On the actual day, there is a group who had trouble finding the elements, because of that the flow of the game was interrupted.
Secondly, we did not set any rules for our players. We allowed the participants determine how they want to win against their fight with another teams. There is a one girl who is wearing long sleeves and a watch. Therefore, we hid her waist band under the watch. Which makes it harder for the opponent.
Lastly, we did not expect our assassinator, Reuben, to be killed through collaboration. Our initial plan was to let him survive till the end, we thought he would win as he is clear of the rules. But he was betrayed by the other group members.
Third Space – We made us of Facebook live function for the players to stay connected. The purpose of this function was mainly for the final segment. Where the groups could see the other group live video and find out where they are hiding at. There is also a point where 2 groups joined the live steam, and try to find out where each other is hiding at. Our element hunt was also conducted on the virtual space. They are using the world brush app to find there elements.
Glitch – Due to the poor internet connection in hive, glitch can be seen on the live videos itself. There was some point was the lag in the audio. Because of that, the action and sound do not match. We made use of live stream function, the background noise could create confusion, it make it harder for the players to differentiate whether the noise is coming from the live stream or the environment they were in.
DIWO – We did not set any rules for the player. Therefore, are allowed to determine how they want to win the game. There are groups that team up to kill others. However, there is also a group that got betrayed. Thus, all their decision resulted in the outcome of the game.
Reflection
I felt that this final project was very interesting. As we get to incorporate the concepts we learn in class. It was an accomplishment to create a interactive game together with my group mates. The feedbacks we get from the participants was although it was tiring, but they enjoy themselves. I felt happy when they say that. I was really afraid the players would get bored while playing the game. To my surprised, they got really competitive and are willing to run and kill each other.
Some points that we could improve on might be having a strong narrative and setting a few rules. Such as no hiding of waistband.
Despite all the problems and difficulties was faced, we still complete the game successfully and also of those feedbacks given by the participants , I think our game was success, And the most important part was that all the players including my group had fun. A big thank you to all the participants and my group members. I really enjoy myself while doing this project.
After much contemplation, I decide work on the idea of combining both prints and pigeons in my zine. Although at the beginning of my research, henna prints were my main focus. I felt that the pigeons were more unique and I could hardly find any research on it online, therefore I decided to focus more on the pigeons.
When I first step into Little India, I was welcome by a flock of pigeons. I thought that was really interesting as I could hardly find so many pigeons anywhere else in Singapore.
Every street has their own unique pigeons. However one thing I realised is the amount of pigeons goes according to how populated the area is. The more the pigeons there seemed to be. As this isn’t a tourist attraction like ST. Mark’s Square and its famous pigeons, I imagine instead that its because these pigeons are a lucky charm for the community. The crowds flock here simply to be in the presence of their lucky animal in hopes that some of that good fortune will rub off on them.
While walking down the streets of Little India, I noticed alot of wall arts and it all represents the Indian culture. Therefore I thought I could incorporate some Indian culture elements.
And Henna prints struck me in a good way to represent the liveliness of Little India. As it represents the India culture and is a used for celebration. I thought by adding these henna prints on the bird it would be clearer to identify that they are the lucky charms of Little India. Therefore, the patterns illustrated are inspired by the henna prints.
* I came across this image online. And I thought it emphasis my concept of pigeons being the lucky charm. Elephants are known as the lucky animal in hindu culture.
Zine/ Artist Research
Zine Process
Process 1: I felt that the third pigeon is distracting. The focus seems to be on it instead.
Final: I remove the third pigeon on the cover page as I thought it was a little distracting. I want to keep the cover page simple, as the focus is the prints on the pigeons. I added some dots at the back cover to make the entire book more consistent.
Process 1 : After printing, I realised that the fonts are way too big. And that there should be hierarchy. If not everything looks too flat.
Final : I add geometric shapes as part of my design elements. I play with the different sizes and line weights to create hierarchy and to show more contrast in the images. I make changes to the font size.
Process 1: The image is spread across both spreads. After consultation, I realised that the block number is too distracting and the focus is not on the pigeons.
Process 2: I zoom into the pigeons so that audience can focus on the main object. I also added more shapes that are similar from the previous page so that it will have the same consistency throughout and to make the layout more fun and interesting.
Final : I tilt the words to make it in line with the heading. After much adjustments, I am satisfied with the layout.
Process 1: I felt that the last spread is do not have the same consistency as the previous pages, because it is too packed. I thought by reducing it to 3-4 patterns would be better.
Process 2: The placing of words needs some minor adjustments.
Final: The main focus in this page is the patterns. However, I still want the same consistency therefore I use lesser shapes to avoid drawing too much attention away from the image.
The online symposium was held on 29st-31st March. I attended the first and third day of symposium. I got to witness how far art has grew over the years with technology.
Day 1
Maria Chatzichristodoulou started off by talking about the telematics art. She provided a clear key definitions of what telematic and interactive performances is. She mentioned ” It transform the screen into a live encounter, in the sense it joins the space of the live performance and the audience, making them co-performers.” She talked about how the social have grown over the years into a global democratic culture, where artist from different location come together to create a art/performance via the internet. Which challenges the traditional linear way of creating a piece of art.
After Maria Chatzichristodoulou’s keynote, Annie Abrahams expanded on that idea and collaborated with 5 other people to put up a live performance. Her collaborators come from different countries, where they connected through Third Space using Adobe Connect on that day itself.
When they first started this performance, I do not understand anything. I thought there was a lag/ hang when all 6 of them closes there eyes and no sound was produced. After a while, I realised that the performance shows Annie Abraham’s way of creating third space where her co- performers and herself come together.
In the online performance, lagging was observed. They have to accept the disruption and make do with the imperfection. I felt that it was tough for them to create a live performance in third space, as they could not control these unforeseen circumstances. There is only one chance, they could not redo or restart it, therefore had to embraced the glitches and lagging. And there was a point of time where the Annie Abrahams microphone was not working, she cannot hear any sound.
This performance needed collaboration and compromise. Which emphasised the concept of DIWO and Third Space. Where many artists come together to complete an artwork.
Day 3
The live performances started off with 2 princesses with filters over their faces. This performance reminds me of our video selfie assignment, where we have to create an alter ego. I thought this performance bring across the message of our digital identities. How a person conceals her identity, and how she wants the society to view her.
After that, the performance moved on to Roberto Sifuentes. He is seen with leeches on his body and face. I felt that this performance stood out the most. There were blood flowing down, yet he remain motionless. His performances involved ceding total artistic and physical control. he remain motionless the the lady had the freedom to place the leeches at where ever she’s wants to. who I thought it will be more interesting if the placing of leeches is open to the audience.
I felt that the performance by Roberto Sifuentes is similar to Yoko Ono’s Cut piece. Where the audience had the control to cut off as much cloths as the wish too.
In my opinion, I felt that the symposium could be more interactive if the audiences could participate in the performance, eg. the leech or maybe even asking the internet audience where to place the leech. Because we do not know if Roberto Sifuentes is in cahoots with his assistant.
For micro project 7, we were asked to mimic an artist’s persona, I knew who I wanted to be. Plaaastic!
Plaaastic is a Vietnamese artist who is famous because of how she portray herself on social media. She has depression and is a victim of bullying.
All her images show her persona. Her with black lips and not smiling. Most of her images of Instagram are gothic and sad photos. Because of her personality, all her images bring out the meaning behind it.
Certain spaces provokes the a person’s alter ego. Personally, I feel most comfortable at home and that is where my secondary personality appears.
This video selfie helps to alter my identity because it gives me the opportunity to portray myself in a way that is different from my true self. People always see me as a happy and cheerful person. However, this video shows a totally opposite of who I really am. The used of filters and makeup which helps to blur out the real and virtual, which conceal my real identity. If I were to show this video to a person, they might not be able to recognise the character.
Naked mole rats are rodents, but they live in communities like those of many insects. Several dozen rats live together in colonies led by one dominant rat—the queen. As in some insect species, the queen is the only naked mole rat female to breed and bear young.
Worker animals dig the burrows that the whole clan inhabits, using their prominent teeth and snouts. They also gather the roots and bulbs for the colony to eat. Other rats tend to the queen.
Most other types of mole rats live on their own or in small families. Though mole rats spend most of their time excavating and foraging in their burrows, they occasionally emerge to search for seeds or other plants.
One interesting fact is the mole rats cuddle each other to sleep, to keep themselves warm.
Movement
The legs of a Pygmy mole rat is thin and short. However, they are highly adept at moving underground and can move backward as fast as they can move forward.
Their large, protruding teeth are used to dig and their lips are sealed just behind the teeth, preventing soil from filling their mouths while digging. About a quarter of their musculature is used in the closing of their jaws while they dig.
Senses
A pygmy mole rat is almost blind, they live underground, in the dark. Therefore the main senses it uses is hearing, sight and smell.
Kokopelli is a fertility deity. Like most fertility deities, he presides over both childbirth and agriculture. He is usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player. Kokopelli’s flute is said to be heard in the spring’s breeze, while bringing warmth. It is also said that he was the source of human conception. Legend has it, everyone in the village would sing and dance throughout the night when they heard Kokopelli play his flute. The next morning, every maiden in the village would be with a child!
How do we hear?
The ear consists of three basic parts – the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each part of the ear serves a specific purpose in the task of detecting and interpreting sound. The outer ear serves to collect and channel sound to the middle ear. The middle ear serves to transform the energy of a sound wave into the internal vibrations of the bone structure of the middle ear and ultimately transform these vibrations into a compressional wave in the inner ear. The human eardrum is a stretched membrane, like the skin of a drum. When the sound waves hit your eardrum, it vibrates and the brain interprets these vibrations as sound.
As shown above, a compression forces the eardrum inward and a rarefaction forces the eardrum outward, thus vibrating the eardrum at the same frequency of the sound wave.
Similarities between Humans and Frog hearing
A frog’s ear drum is called a Tympanum and works in very much the same way that our human ear drums work. A frog’s ear drum, just like a humans ear drum, is a membrane that is stretched across a ring of cartilage like a snare drum that vibrates.
There is rod that is connected to the ear drum, which vibrates by sounds that come at the frog. That sound is just pressure waves. Sound is localized by the time difference when the sound reaches each ear. The rod sloshes around in the inner ear fluid, which causes microscopic hairs to move, which send signals to the frog’s brain for interception. A frog’s ear lungs also vibrate when sound waves come toward it, although they are less sensitive than the frogs ear drum. Frogs also cannot hear short and high frequency sounds.
Body Parts
Function of the Spine
The spine has many functions, the main ones are listed below
To provide protection
To allow for movement
To support our body frame in an upright position
To allow for flexibility
To provide a structural base for rib attachments
In the assignment, we are supposed to create a fashion wear for Kokopelli. We had to incorporate sound into the body part we got! The body part that I got was spine.
Our spine serves a number of purposes. It is made up of 24 moveable bones that helps to support our weight as well as to hold us upright. Spine plays an important role in our movement.
The spine is connected from the neck all the way to the tail bone. It is composed by 3 different segments: the cervical spine, which it connected to the neck; the thoracic spine, which encompasses the shoulder and chest area; the lumbar spine, as know as the lower back; the sacrum; and finally the tail bone.
The facet joints of the spine allow back motion. Each vertebra has four facet joints, one pair that connects to the vertebra above (superior facets) and one pair that connects to the vertebra.
Every movement, every step, like picking up a pencil or dancing and even walking. It all requires the spine. As seen in the image above, our spine is very flexible, we can bend and twist easily. The spine is formed with many bones, each with a soft ‘disc’ in between. The purpose is for flexibility and reduction of stress on bones.
Sound
Pleasant Sound – Wind + Leaves Smooth, Calming, Constant
For this assignment, I went to Little India. The areas covered are main Little India, Serangoon Road and Farrer Park. I visited Little India 3 times, once on a weekday and twice on a weekend. And I group the spaces according to how populated it was.
I found lots of interesting and unique things along the way. After visiting Little India, some of my thoughts and impression of Little India changed. I felt that the place is very colourful and vibrant. There is strong spice smell. And something that surprise me and change my perspective was that the people there are very friendly. I talked to some of the people and shop owners there, they were very nice and. It is very different from what I imagine it to be.
I found lots of wall art in the streets. These wall arts are mainly the Indian culture. Like the lady making the garlands or the cow with henna prints printed on it.
Most of the shops in Little India are shophouses. They sell a widely range of items. Like fashion wear and food. All shop sells colourful and vibrant looking items. Like almost impossible to find any black, white or grey items.
One thing very interesting I noticed was that there are a lot of pigeons in Little India. It is like a mini bird park. They are mainly sitted in a row and on top of the buildings. And I realised that the amount of birds goes according to how populated the area is. More populated areas, the more pigeons.
During the weekends, there are a lot of people gathering. They are normally in groups of 3-4.
I have 2 imagination of the space. From my research, I found out that there are more pigeons in the populated areas. So i imagine it as the pigeons bring happiness and crowd to the space. For this idea what I intend to do is the merge like photography and illustration. Ill take photographs of the birds in the populated areas and draw henna prints on them.
And the reason why I choose to draw henna prints on them is because henna is used for a happy occasion and is something more traditional. I thought is could represent happiness in this case.
For my next imagination, I intend to do like a full illustration of things in Little India. Then ill add henna prints to them. Some examples will be the fruits and vegetables.
As described by Menkman, R. (2009) in Glitch Studies Manifesto, ‘The glitch is a wonderful experience of an interruption that shifts an object away from its ordinary form and discourse’.
For micro project 5 ,my group decided to used styrofoam as our medium. Using a few discarded piece of styrofoam from the recycle box, we connect them and form our own artwork. We used 2 hot guns and heat the foams, the medium is then transformed from its original form. The outcome of this work is unpredictable.
The process of destroying and destruction could usually be done in a few secs. However, if you watch the video, you will realised that the styrofoam takes some time for it to disintegrates. It started by forming uneven textures and after a while, it slowly disintegrates. In order to take better notice of the changes, we had to fast forward the video. Another thing that I found interesting was that the styrofoam disappeared, we thought it would leave some bits and pieces.
I felt that destruction refers to the process of causing something to change from its ordinary form, be it good or bad. For our case, the end product was a pleasant surprise.
According to Randall Packer, Conversation with Jon Cates (2014) Hyperallergic they mentioned “They might be glitched, and they might be imperfect and noisy, and that might be what attracts us or me to those systems.”
I thought that this is very relatable as glitch art is more widely seen in recent years. Glitch is no longer rejected by people, in today’s world, we are more open to art. We do not need to have a perfectly painted work for it to be art. What we once understood as glitch is now a new form of art.
