Be a part of the interactive art lighting the Olympic skies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interactive art installation "Vectorial Elevation," which allows participants to create light displays in the sky over Vancouver using robotic searchlights. The conversation touches on the artistic, technical, and environmental aspects of the project.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express enthusiasm for the interactive nature of the artwork, highlighting its innovative use of technology to engage the public.
  • Others critique the disparity between the designed light patterns and their actual appearance, noting that the real images often do not match expectations.
  • Concerns about energy consumption are raised, with some participants questioning the environmental impact of the installation.
  • Conversely, some participants dismiss the energy concerns, suggesting that the energy was not being utilized for other purposes.
  • A participant humorously suggests the possibility of using Morse code to create "dirty words" as light patterns, indicating a playful engagement with the project.
  • Overall, there is a mix of appreciation for the artistic concept and skepticism regarding its execution and environmental implications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions, with some appreciating the project while others are critical of its execution and environmental impact. No consensus is reached on the value or effectiveness of the installation.

Contextual Notes

Participants' views reflect personal experiences and subjective interpretations of the artwork, with no definitive conclusions drawn regarding its artistic merit or environmental considerations.

Ivan Seeking
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Vectorial Elevation is an interactive artwork that allows participants to transform the sky over Vancouver, Canada. Using a three-dimensional interface, this website let's you design huge light sculptures by directing 20 robotic searchlights located around English Bay. A web page is made for each participant with photos of their design from four cameras located around the city.
http://www.vectorialvancouver.net/home.html

Ou, en français
http://www.vectorialvancouver.net/home_fr.html
 
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Already in the Global Spotlight, Vancouver's Skies Deliver Additional Delight
Posted by Lauren Knapp , February 17, 2010
A week before the torch arrived in the Olympic city, Vancouver's skies were already illuminated, ready to greet the world with a warm welcome. Light artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and his team had installed 10 searchlights on both sides of English Bay for an interactive work he calls "Vectorial Elevation."

The lights in this large-scale installation are visible within a 10-mile radius -- each light shines at 10,000 watts -- and anyone with access to the Internet can try his or her hand at changing the projected patterns.

Participants can create a light display on the project's Web site, VectorialVancouver.net, where they will also find a virtual model of Vancouver. Users create instructions for a new night-time display by setting the angles and power of the searchlights. The information is then queued in a server that operates the robotically maneuvered lights. The searchlights quietly project a new image every 12 seconds. For those who can't see it in person, the entire show is captured live via four Web cameras set up around Vancouver... [continued with video]
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/2010/02/already-in-the-global-spotlight-vancouvers-skies-deliver-additional-delight.html
 
Wow, not one comment? I thought this was pretty cool.
 
Rather disappointing, the "designs' look great, the real pictures look nothing like the designs in most cases. :frown:

Not to mention how much energy that must be wasting.
 
I thought that this was a pretty cool idea actually. Never saw it before thanks Ivan.

I for one don't really care at all how much energy they are wasting.
 
They weren't doing anything with that energy anyway, Evo.

We each submitted designs while at work. Yes, we goof off at work from time-to-time.
 
Oh boo I thought you could draw shapes!

I guess I will just do dirty words in morse code.
 
I thought it was fun.