THE GLADE

Inspired by naturally occurring formations of mushrooms
growing in a ring shape, so called "fairy circles", The Glade is
an interactive installation aiming to emulate the feeling of standing
in an open area in a deep, magical forest. The only difference being,
that this version of that classical fantasy idea has been abstracted into a
synthetic form, though equally magical.

Central to the installation is a pedestal on top of which stands a circle of black, polygonal mushrooms. Capacitive touch sensors were used to make the mushrooms
touch sensitive, emitting a sound once touched by a visitor. The sound is emitted by multiple 'exciter' speakers hanging from the ceiling at different lengths, to create a 360 interactive soundscape. A top-down projector is used to emulate the shadows of tree branches on the forest floor. Templates were cut out of card stock and glued into polygonal shapes to create the mushroom, resulting in a shape that is both recognizable and abstract.

The creators were inspired by classical fairytales and modern fantasy media.
They took ideas and tropes from these settings and combined them with
modern experimental technology creating a dichotomy between the
natural and the digital, relaying to the viewer, the feeling that digital
technology can be equally wonderous, exciting and magical.


Sini Ahmadi - Tim Benschop - Lara Adriolo
HKU Media

TECHNOLOGY

Arduino Leonardo
Adafruit CAP1188 capacative touch sensor
Exciter speakers
Acer / Viewsonic HD beamers

Materials: cardstock, polyester tulle, wood, bike wheel,
fishing line, aluminum foil, solder

MAKING OF

Initial concept drawing:

Concept render of a 3D printed, sheer mushroom:

Prototype of a 3D printed mushroom:

Many failed 3D printing attempts, we ended up abandoning this design.

The Adafruit CAP1188:

Sensor concept drawings:

Setting up before the exposition:

REGISTRATION

CREDITS

TIM BENSCHOP
digital engineering - sounddesign

SINI AHMADI
digital engineering

LARA ADRIOLO
concept - art direction