Concept

Lab.rys- Sandbox is a piece that merge to different conceptual spaces (the labyrinth and the sandbox) into a new physical and mental space for meditation and introspection

Background

Labrys means double axe. The labrys is a double headed ritual axe. Is related to the labyrinth and is Minoan in origin and is from the same root as the Latin labus , or lips.

The spiritual symbol

A labyrinth is a complex geometric symbol based on simple forms that are derived from the archetypal patterns of Nature.

Labyrinths are in the domain of sacred geometry, where one goal is to produce a temple, a meeting place between heaven and earth. Today, the labyrinth symbolizes the spiritual. Walking meditations, group ceremonies, retreats with the labyrinth as the focal point are some of the uses for labyrinths today.

The difference between the labyrinths and mazes is that in the labyrinths we can find the center if we follow the path and in the mazes in general we can be lost.

Context Section

Where?
Museum of new contemporary art

When?
2006

What's the situation like?

The user can experiment different sensations and is open to various interpretations.

Tangible interface, that integrates natural materials and new technologies.

At the entrance of the installation the spectator is going to experience darkness, noise, confusion, chaos, and the impression of movement in the sandbox. The images are in a constant zoom in zoom out..

The users can alter the form of the sand topography by manipulating sand while seeing a distortion a video of a series of labyrinths and images related that are projected on the surface of sand in real-time.

Is the problem being address today?

Yes.

How is done now?

Using natural and new materials and technologies.

Is something wrong about this practice?

No

Has technological advancement opened up new possibilities?

Yes, interactivity.

Have social condition changed?

Yes.

Clear Challenges:

Labyrinth and mazes are encountered the world over, and have been a source of fascination through the ages. We found labyrinths in the Bronze Age petroglyphs, Scandinavian Troy towns, Roman mosaics, medieval churches and manuscripts, labyrinths in the Renaissance, Baroque hedge mazes, labyrinths in early video games such as Pac-man or Hunter, and also in contemporaries like Tomb Raider.  

The labyrinth is a subject that comes form the Greek Myth of the Minotaur and has been a source or inspiration for musicians like Bach and Mozart, poets like Borges. This subject appear in movies of filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick (the Shining) , George Lucas in 1970 (Electronic Labyrinth   THX 1138 4 EB),   and visual artist like Pablo Picasso. The challenge is to create a new approach to navigate trough the labyrinth using as a physical space the sandbox.

The users section.

Who is going to use it?

Is created for people in general, but specially for people who have time to interact with a work of art. Because of the dimensions and high is not design specifically for kids.

Possible scenarios

People who are visiting a museum usually have more time to have new sensorial experiences. For the Museum of contemporary art installation is going to be presented in large scale.

•  Inauguration (total interaction)

Six to seven people are going to be able to manipulate the sand and the images in real time and to interact simultaneously. Approximately other 12 people are going to be around the piece as spectators. More than 999 people there are going to be waiting to touch the sandbox at least for a few seconds.

•  Regular day (normal interaction)

In a regular day at least four people are going to interact at the same time.

•  Regular day (individual interaction)

Some people will be waiting until the room is almost empty to explore individually the labrys-sandbox.

When the room is empty except for the security guard, -he or she- takes this opportunity to run directly to the piece and play with the sand for at least four minutes. In fact at the end of the show, the guardian would be the more enthusiastic and touch user.

Design criteria

Guidelines for potential solutions.

In order to achieve the goal I am going to connect a camera-based tracking system that tells the computer trough the software Jitter where the hands of the user are. Also depending the position and speed and movements of the hands, Jitter is going to generate automatically a series of special effects that imitates the distortion of the sand in real time. The effects are going to be projected in a video in the surface of the sandbox.

Is going to be a self-explanatory interaction, easy to use.

Needs to be customizable

TECHNICAL AND CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS:

Programs to be used:

MAX, MSP and Jitter

Final Cut

G5 Mac

Video projector

Sand box made of wood, full with white soft sand (imported from Cozumel Mexico)

4Speakers (creating surround system)

Solution Section

Design proposal

Designing for a particular locations.

This installation is conceived to be display in dark and ample interior space of the Museum.

Is going to be presented in large scale, but also can be presented small formats for speciall occasions.

Images

Video loop projection, with images of labyrinths and images that are related.

Sound

Steps, sand in movement, wind, internal sounds of the body (hart, blood during the journey of the veins, intestine in the process of digestion, etc.

Sand

White soft sand (imported from Cozumel Mexico)