Previously on our Baby Cot Part 1, our initial idea for it was simply a windchime idea that is triggered by motion region. However, LPD suggested and reminded us of one of the conveyer belt ideas that he showed us back then, if we could use the same theory as that? So ding ding ding! We will still be doing our baby cot idea but with a different mechanism. Our trigger now would be, whenever someone put a cane onto the hula hoop, it will trigger one specific cane sound, which thus – becomes a symphony of canes.
It was a spur of a moment as we suddenly got inspired from a baby cot mobile. What we liked about the mobile is the rotating movement of it and we feel that it will add more dynamics to our project. Also, we felt that if we were to replace the soft toys with canes, it will be quite funny as we can’t imagine a bunch of cane swinging around us when we were young hahaha. And thought that this would be a great idea! Thus, this is the beginning of our Baby Cot!
Here are 3 circular items that we feel could potentially be the base of our Baby Cot. Hula Hoop and parts of a bicycle wheel. Of course, we would have to spray paint it in another colour to suit our colour scheme.
We stuck on the canes and went to test it out on the space itself!
We felt that the black ring was a lil small and it makes it look underwhelming, so we swapped it for Tisya’s pink hula hoop instead. What we imagined on how the baby cot is gonna work is that it’s triggered from various motion region. So if someone were to step onto a specific region, it would trigger the hula hoop to spin and play various caning sounds. We wanted the motion region to be hidden as we felt it was interesting on how the user is unaware that his/her actions is affecting the mobile cot itself.
This links back to the concept of the cane where holds the power to cane the child. In this case, the user(parent) is affecting the hoop(child), and by right, the user will keep finding the right spot where it will trigger the hoop which means its sort of continuously caning the child.
We are back with our Candycane series. This time round, we will be introducing our mini massage parlour called Happy Ending 😉
For Happy Ending, we will be using motion region to trigger the activation of the motor on the canes. We are thinking of using $1 coins to trigger the action. This was inspired by the kiddie rides that would normally cost $1 for a ride, that is available in the heartland malls or near our homes.
We are using Phidget, compared to Arduino, it is much more sensitive and wouldn’t cost a lag in the motor. So!! This is our first time connecting Phidget, Max and our motor altogether.
Here is our progress video!
As you can see, whenever my hand is covering the region, the motor would not swing back and forth but would stay at the position. Only when I remove my hand, it will return back to its original position. We want it to loop so that if the motion region is detected, the motor will swing back and forth and will only stop when nothing is detected in the region.
Next, we will try to find a way to loop our motor! & good news!! We finally found the canes with the coloured hooks thanks to Tisya’s Mom :’) So yay!! We can’t wait to use our new canes hehe
So this marks the beginning of our Candycane journey! To note it down, Tisya and I will finally be working together for an IM project heheh.
As we all know, when we were young, at the sight of the cane, we know that is a reminder to behave. Otherwise, we will have to face the wrath of the cane. Basically, the pain that was inflicted through the cane was a simple explanation by our parents between what is right or wrong.
Here are some notes that we made: – Cane as a reflection of our childhood. – Has a negative connotation associated to it. – Should a cane be used for caning? – The cane as a tool of discipline vs The cane as a tool of play. – Users are granted the power to control the cane (not by choice) – Placing canes in different contexts. (Compass / massage / piñata)
Ultimately, the tone of voice that we are approaching in our installation would be atongue-in-cheek manner,a humorous irony that we are seeking to achieve. To portray cane in various situations, aside from its original intention as a disciplinary object. Not to change the perception of how a cane is, but rather seeing the cane in a different light.
So here’s the new and revised Candycane artist statement!
Candycane
Remember the times when the sight of this wooden rod was enough to get you running? This one-hit wonder, a reflection of our childhood misdeeds, is often used as a disciplinary tool in homes to incite fear and serves as a constant reminder for good conduct.
Candycane attempts to challenge the negative connotations and controversies associated to it, provoking thought about its purpose: “Should a cane be used for caning?”
We came up with various random mundane, humorous scenarios that could be used, other than it being used as a disciplinary object.
Here are some scenes: 1. Massage Parlour 2. Stirring a Cup 3. Pinata 4. Chopsticks (humans are mini sushi) 5. Mathematical Compass 6. Sword fight 7. Blanket Beating
Ultimately, we shortlisted to 3 scenarios which are: 1. Mathematical Compass 2. Massage Parlour 3. Pinata
The first ever cane installation that we are touching on would be the Mathematical Compass! So, how it’s gonna work is that the compass will follow the audience and while doing so, it draws a line floor (paper).
For “The Compass”, we need: 2 wooden canes, one motor and blobs detection. Throughout the weekends, we played with motors and worked with its mechanism. We tried Blobs but we couldn’t get it to work 🙁 We are still working on it though!
First and foremost, lets start the process journey shall we! Whats a cane project without any canes?
I found this bunch of canes (70 cents/each) at a provision shop near my area and sadly I couldn’t find the canes which has a coloured tip. When I asked the owner, she said that they weren’t producing the coloured tip canes anymore 🙁 But Tish and I are not giving it up just yet! We ares still on the hunt for the coloured canes.
Testing out how it will look like when the motors rotates it (180 degrees)
We used foamboard to create a support to attach the cane and the motor’s wing. By building the structure around the cane tightly, and taping the it to the motor, we are able to secure it!
Tish getting hit by our cane hahahaha. But anyhow, here’s a compiled version of our video process for a better understanding on our journey!
Initially, we wanted to have two motors attached to the cane itself, so to create a X & Y-Axis. We tried the joint mechanism that LPD taught us but it wasn’t as secured 🙁 However, we will still continue working on the mechanism and try to experiment it with blobs!
Blobs detection are tough D: If anyone has figured it out, please teach Tish and I plssssss
M I L E S T O N E S :
Week 10 : Cane #1 Mechanism, & Blob System Week 11 : Cane #2 Mechanism, Motion Region Linking Phidget/Arduino to Max MSP Week 12 : Prototype II Due Week 13 : Cane #3 (Pinanta) Week 14 : Final Presentation
