assignments

exercise 1: mapping cells (due Sept. 7)

Robert Harrington: Map

exercise 2: conceptual mobile phone application (due Oct. 3)

Robert Jackson Harrington: Project City Squirrel

I made this piece influenced by the Flirt Project #26765. Specifically in section 3 Information: Location as a Distribution Mechanism. I also reacted to the fact that my cell-phone occasionally drops coverage. I felt this concept helps establish a greater connectivity, yet keeping it localized.

This project aims to establish virtual environments in the city of San Francisco by utilizing cell-phone technology and short-range information distribution nodes placed in various neighborhoods. The goal over time establishes a sense of identity for each area of the city.

Each node contains a unique “squirrel” that interacts with passersby when within range. The squirrel has a unique personality and helps identify characteristics of the neighborhood. For example a squirrel living in the Mission district likes punk music and will play records as cell-phones come within range. Similarly in China Town the squirrel there will tag phones with graffiti.

exercise 3: podcast (due Oct. 19)

Robert Jackson Harrington: Robcast

I've been all over the place with this thing. I finally settled on a soundtrack to the city. Certain music enhances your perception of certain situations or contradicts it.

project description (draft) (due Oct 24)

working title -CitySoundTrack

I'm thinking of expanding on the "city with a soundtrack" idea. I imagine you can call me on your cell and I'm at my computer. The participant tells me where he/she is and then I play tunes over the connection based on what I think where ever he/she is, should sound like. I'm sure that's it's do-able, but I'm not sure if it'll work given the multiple calls I'd receive from the class, but the way I see it this is still the proposal stage and I can still hammer details like that stuff out. I consider it a type of mapping project, where instead of a topographical map instead it's an audio "reference" map. Obviously the project becomes a type of mobile media and causes the participant to consider his/her surroundings from my audio perspective. Where this occurs is not yet determined. I haven't decided if I want to control exactly where the participants calls from or allow it to occur randomly.

final project proposals (due Oct. 31)

Robert Jackson Harrington: Listen to Me

final project (documentation due Dec 7)(tour Dec 12 + 14)

Final Project Page

Notes on research.