# MDEF x Akasha Hub: Hybrid Ecosystems
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## Concept Summary

Natural and technological ecosystems are closely related, however counter-intuitive it might seem at first. Investigating these overlapping areas through our senses, we venture in hybrid worlds of sounds, visuals and haptics. Between self-mutating algorithms and recursive patterns in nature, we draw similarities and aim to provoke questions about a more sustainable and tangible view of technology.

## Exhibits

### [1] VJ Area: Hybrid Spaces (Working Title)

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**TL;DR:** A live and interactive audiovisual installation on the main screen featuring a set of biomaterials and plants as physical triggers.
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Audiovisuals related to nature + algorithms are generated by participants touching buttons, like a VJ/DJ set. There will be a panel with various unconventional buttons, including plants, biomaterials and other artifacts related to the theme. Various visuals and sounds will be triggered at the same time, overlaying on top of each other depending on the buttons chosen.

### [2] Fractals at different scales

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**TL;DR:** A video loop exploring recursive forms in nature and mathematics.
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This project investigates how fractals and other mathematical patterns appear both in the natural and digital world. It would be a video which morphes a mix of algorithmically created fractals & "natural" fractals without any sound and interactions. The loop would be a few minutes long and displayed on a screen.

### [3] Sonic Ecologies

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**TL;DR:** A interactive experiment distributed across six small stations, inviting participants to shape clay from Collserola park inspired by audio recordings taken there. These clay artefacts will give sonic feedback while being touched.
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Exploring the Relation between sound, technology, nature and the physical world.

When was the last time that you played with mud? Why are objects designed to last forever? Why have we lost our connection with nature? What is the relationship with sound and our physical world?

These are some of the questions that will be explored with this intervention. Sonic Ecologies is a series of specific designed interventions that will be happening in the city of Barcelona and its natural surroundings, Ending with MDEFEST trail road in the natural park.

The intervention is designed to work as a cycle, with human intervention opening and closing the loop, and Its divided in x stages.

> Stage 1: Recollect the Clay from Collserola Park, or el Garraf. These two are natural parks in the surroundings of Barcelona that in some areas, have Clay soil that is used for crafts and fabrication. During the recollection of clay, the natural sounds of the place will be recorded to use them for the exposition.

Stage 2(AKASHA): The Clay will be installed in different metallic and conductive totems, these totems will be connected to an electronic system that will be throwing sound signals when the clay is touched, so it will be modeled in a collaborative way by people that will be participating in the expo. Its expected that the resulting shape will be abstract like sculptures.

> Stage 3: For the final act, there will be a hike organized to Collserola park, where every participant will take a piece of the clay that was made by different people the day before. The pieces of clay will be seted up for a music performance that will be played there. After the performance, all of the clay pieces will be returned to the park as little sculptures, as nendo dango seeds, or as traces of human intervention. So with that approach the object will have its own natural cycle, where it was taken, used and returned where it belongs.

Totem:


Distribution


### [4] Interactive Particles (interactive simulation instances)
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**TL;DR:** A live and interactive visual installation inviting participants to move particles through motion inputs.
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Gathering motion data input from either [Kinect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinect) (movement, postures) or [Leap Motion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_Motion) (hands, gestures), we can let visitors interact with a particle simulation running in Touchdesigner, or Processing. The particles will move according to natural laws, akin to snowflakes, water, mircoorganisms or smoke (tbd).

### [5] Possible NA.B3 project
If an involvement of NA.B3 is possible, we would love to invite them to participate in the exhibition. For this purpose a single additional exhibit is included here. This is an optional collaboration opportunity, which we would like to pursue. To initiate this, a meeting would be best (see *Questions*).

## Data Collection & Feedback

Exibit [1], [3] and [4] will be interactive, so there is a substantial amount of visitor interaction provided. Beyond that we are thinking about collecting thoughts and inputs regarding the exhibition matter itself through a QR-code that leads to a web form. There are two possible ways to continue:
- **live feedback:** set up an online form that, when submitted, could trigger an audio sample and potentially display the words on the screen
- **sequential feedback:** QR code linking to a online form, collecting data to analyze & visualize it at the end of the event

## Floorplan

This is a possible layout of the exhibition space. It aims to let people move throughout the space in an organic way and interact with the different exhibits over time. We hope that this distributed way of arranging the pieces will also enable conversations to form dynamically as people interact with the objects and each other.


## References

### External References
[Six N. Five](https://sixnfive.com)
[ShoppeBlack](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdLZ5D6DQAE/)
[Padina](https://www.fxhash.xyz/generative/slug/padina) by Pawel Grzelak
[Harm to Ongoing Matter](https://jono.fyi/Harm-to-Ongoing-Matter) by Jonathan Brandel
[IX Shells](https://y.at/⛓🕳✨/go)
[Im sitting in a room ](https://y.at/⛓🕳✨/go) by Alvin Lucier
[Sound Ecologies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Krause) Bernie Krause

### Past Projects
[Artificial Constellations](https://chris-ernst.github.io/dozen-things-digital/updates/term-2/week-12-artificial-constellations.html) (By Tatiana & Chris)
[Plant B](https://plant-b.io) (By Joaquin & Chris)
[Sound decisions](https://vimeo.com/706955265) (By Joaquin & Tatiana)
[Modeling Clay with music](https://vimeo.com/685879276) (By Joaquin)
[Philosofern](https://vimeo.com/642637412) (By Chris)
[Embodied (Re)cognition](https://vimeo.com/701575775?) (By Joaquin)
[Deep Tarot Cards](https://deep-tarot.cards) (By Chris)

### Visual Moodboards

#### [1] Sensing Spaces

see full moodboard [here](https://www.pinterest.it/tatianamariebutts/untitled-mdefest-project/)



#### [2] Fractals at different scales

see full moodboard [here](https://www.pinterest.it/tatianamariebutts/fractals-in-nature/)


#### [3] Sonic Ecologies


#### [4] Interactive particles

see full moodboard [here](https://www.pinterest.it/tatianamariebutts/interactive-particles/)


## Timetable
Since the screening and the gathering part would no longer need to be separated, we could have everything happen at the same time: Gathering, exhibit interaction and the networking of the visitors. This way, the guests could organically move throughout the distributed exibits and form conversations naturally.

## Goals
With this exhibition, we want to inspire people to move through the world with open eyes and see nature in a new way. Experiencing how tech and nature are not two separate entities, but ones that can co-exist and benefit from each other, is an important mission of ours. Visitors should have the chance to engage in conversations around the topic and to connect with both Akasha and the community. We want people to leave inspired and encouraged that every one can make an impact.

## Questions

- What are your thoughts on this concept? Is there something we missed?
- Is it possible to have a introduction meeting with NA.B3 to discuss a collaboration on the exhibition?
- What do you think about doing the exhibition on Tuesday, 28.06.?
- Are there any projectors/tvs and headphones available from Akasha?
- Do you have any ideas regarding the execution of the data collection?
- If there is any other infrastructure that we can use(Tables, Chairs, etc.)

## Button Board Interface

INPUTS

- How many inputs?

- What are the input themes?
1. Fungi

3. Water

4. Flowers

5. Leaves

6. Electronics (microchip) - glitch visual

7. Rock/Crystal? -

8. Keyboard buttons

9. Fireflys, blue pigment?

- How do the buttons work?