preliminary research meeting 20060331

=== alkan - overview ===


{see [[Research Report Alkan]]  for complete notes... } 


  * summary of his studies over the last year, during his stay.
  * most painful aspect was the constant wearing of the 'anthropologists' mask
  * no special insights or observations, in that experience should not be 'detatched'
  * more as a 'learner' or 'student' rather than observer, dissector.
  * pressed about methodology, still can find an accurate answer
  * no fixed, preconceived methodology, could/should be developed/co-created
  * fluidity, and indeterminacy -> exciting aspect of field work
  * fieldwork/experience as 'experiment' or 'test' [awkwardly placed in the social sciences]
    * .. personal
    * . .of anth. toward viewing fluidity in human relations/approaches
    * rigorous relativism / occupying positions in a social field
    * yet not reducible to the position.
    
-> move toward the dark and luminous, do not stray from the path of the nectar/ambrosia

=== theun ===

  * after being in india, more interested in working how the physical world works
  * physics, ecology, new skills ->
  * what to do with foam lab .nl?+
    * more presentations rather than screenings -> more direct contact
    * venue for discussions between technical & non-technical audiences
    * website (communication)
  * use of analogy, visual representation for understanding physics and mathematics


===pix===

  * looking at further details..
  * how to move closer to ideas for driving 'research' w/out pressure of presentation
  * preliminary thinking;
    * video textures in ogre3d
    * further adventures with particle systems
      * non-object based 3d systems / visualisation
      * ways of imposing form / structure onto particle systems
    * overlap with humanly recognisable forms (semantics)
    * real world interfacing
      * non-screen based interfaces, tactile displays
      * h/w control -> fuzzy control systems / real world <-> fuzzy logic
      * ir camera for motion tracking in projected light
    * realtime generative algorithms in more than 2d
      * algorithmic 3d systems
      * what techniques can be transferred from 2d to 3d
    * how to model growth
    
-> projections, mappings, etc+
  * NPR texhniques
  * iterated functions / strange attractor


===lina===
  * looking at sustainable dev. and ecological impact of textile industries
  * deeper understanding of how active textiles work
  * how should this be documented ?+

1. active materials

method: survey of the field, empyrical experiments, testing different techniques, selection of most promissing materials

research questions:

1a printing thermochromics

  * what responsivity can you get from active materials without the use of electricity and electronics?
  * biomimetic design - looking at plant mechanisms to inspire design with active materials
  * which active materials are not toxic?

1b. visualising imaginary worlds with active materials

  * what can we learn from processes and effects of magic, how do we translate them into designs with active materials?

2. materials library

method: survey of the field, contact with existing material libraries, survey of existing cataloguing systems, make a physical library, catalogue and sort materials and information
research question

  * how can we build a comprehensive and extensible library, containing both materials and information about materials? how do we catalogue active materials and processes?

3. secondary research interest: portable spaces, nomadic events (such as a circus)


===cocky===
  * material research ->
    * actively seeking out manufacturers, TU Delft, conferences, etc+
    * documentation
    * how to present foam to potential suppliers/manufaturers/etc+
  * kites
    * shapes & materials for kites
    * sonifying / sourcing data from the kite
  * visit a wind tunnel
    * somewhere between .nl & .be
    * throw kids into wind-tunnel
  * inflatable spaces
    * look at new materials, blowers, how to improve it, make more modular

===maja===
  * role of the artist/designer in ecological discussions (issues of biodiversity, climate change...)
  * sustainable arts and design / future of design practice
  * relationships between food and ecology
    * wild foods
    * molecular gastronomy
    * demystifying the process of producing, distributing, cooking, presenting and consuming food
  * low power / self sustaining systems
    * ideas behind desire and sustainability
    * how to engage an audience in these discussions
  * processes of growth and transformation - in environmental studies, cooking and alchemy
  * documentation and reflection of foam's first 5 years of existence


===nik===

  * rt audiovisuals
  * qfwfq and visual programming languages
  * working with fluxus, a-life, procedural graphics
  * futurology (in terms of new design practices)


===interject / general===
  * how to ensure that 'research' is more than just fiddling
  * reframing what 'research' can be, without diluting its meaning
  * marketing / bus. dev. person.. .
  * foam website
    * redesign for ease of updating..
    * how to incorporate .nl lab

 


is foam an apocalyptic life cult?