• Welcome to CNMAT
• Introductions to teaching staff
  • Adrian Freed, Syuzi Pakhchyan,
  • Yotam Mann, Jeff Lubow,
  • John MacCallum, Andy Schmeder, Michael Zbyszynski
  • Artists in Residence: Hannah Perner-Wilson, Martha Swetzoff
• Safety
  • Choose Good Tools
  • Partnering
  • The Dilution Solution

• Overview of the Week

  • Internet Access
  • Daily Themes
  • Special Lunch Events
  • Morning Movies
  • Visiting Presenters
  • Lab. opportunities
  • Learning to Learn
  • Teaching to Teachers

• The Anatomy of Sensor Systems, Design Patterns and Implementation Strategies

  • Sensing as: measurement, inference and travel in time and space
  • The traditional five senses(Aristotle):
  • sight
  • hearing
  • touch
  • smell and taste
  • Humans also have at least six additional senses:
  • nociception (pain),
  • equilibrioception (balance)
  • proprioception and kinesthesia (joint motion and acceleration)
  • sense of time,
  • thermoception (temperature differences)
  • and in some a weak magnetoception

• Art as interaction, complexity and presence and the corresponding implementation pattern of sensors, software, and actuation.

We follow the life of data as it moves from sensing devices through the processing, and transformation to final output (sound, light, and motion synthesis). The key to this process is the numerous wiring or patching techniques.

Although perhaps the least glamorous part of the workshop, wiring of all kinds is the key to freedom of choice of sensors in your projects. We demonstrate physical wiring (solderless, soldering, fabric), virtual wires (Max/MSP/Jitter patchchords) and symbolic (Open Sound Control).

Temporary connections (switches) will also be demonstrated with a wide array of switching sensors, conventional switches and buttons, and many fabric switch techniques, e.g., clasps, conductive velcro etc.

The many techniques will be illustrated with short demonstrations and hands-on exercises as an introduction to later amplifiications and deeper treatment in afternoon labs throughout the week.

Meet your fellow participants and the teaching staff informally at this BBQ lunch.

Introduction to CNMAT’s sensor lab. and the 2008 workshop kit. Thanks to Richard Andrews for months of parts purchasing, to Inigo and Yotam for assembling the kits at the last minute and to Anne-Marie Skriver who built the 30 CUI boards in short order and shipped them from Denmark in time for the class.

• Directed hands on activity: creating a simple LED color organ using a conductive rubber band and 9V battery.