Circadian Sea is an interactive display of bioluminescent algae. Cultures of Pyrocystis fusiformis are enclosed in a structure of transparent acrylic spheres, inviting users to manipulate and inspect the algae on a range of scales, from small groups of individually discernable plankton to the illumination of the entire structure. As users move their hands across the face of the construction, the spheres spin in place, agitating the algae and causing it to glow. Visitors may choose to focus on a single sphere of algae or use the length of their arms to spin all of the spheres at once.

Here is the video documentation of Circadian Sea that was included in the presentation:

In order to document my thesis work, I’ve been struggling to shoot photos and video of bioluminescent algae as it glows. The challenge stems from the fact that the algae only glows when it’s agitated, and it can only be seen in the dark. Last night I took a few pictures and shot some video with a Canon 5D Mark II and a 35mm lens; the results were much better than anything else I’d tried for these conditions. The video above isn’t perfect, but at least the algae is visible! I enclosed it in an acrylic sphere similar to the units that will make up the structure for Circadian Sea. Next step: set up a structure to hold it in place while it spins so the video’s not so jumpy.

Thesis Midterm Presentation Slides

We had a few visitors in class last week, and I really enjoyed hearing their feedback on my thesis. In developing my presentation, I realized that I have several unanswered questions that I’m grappling with, outside of the technical challenges of developing a rewarding way for people to interact with bioluminescent algae. We had a great conversation about my reasons for mediating this experience at all. In other words, why am I building this display, instead of organizing walking tours to a beach? Why do I want to bring this natural material into a cultural environment? I still don’t have clear answers to these questions, but I’m getting there.

I’ve decided to let the display rely on the movements of people to agitate and light the algae, rather than using electronics. My classmate, Marco, had a great suggestion to use spheres or ball bearings to allow for movement of the algae. I’m excited about this idea, as it brings me back to my interest in physical interactions and kinesthetic learning, which brought me to ITP in the first place.

Preliminary sketch for algae pixels

This week I’ve been doing some preliminary sketches for what I’m starting to think of as algae pixels. The idea is to create a way for people to experience an interaction with bioluminescent algae that’s not too far off from seeing it in the ocean. For the first prototype I’m going to be testing ways of agitating small groups of algae at a time in response to a finger touching the display.

Drawing in the dark

Flush hexagon pixels (mini tanks of algae)

Round pixels (tubes or petri dishes)

I also made some progress on my annotated bibliography this week, started an outline for my paper, and developed a more detailed  work schedule.

]]> http://carolineabrown.com/2010/02/thesis-timeline/feed/ 0 http://carolineabrown.com/2010/02/bio-materiality-bioluminescence/ http://carolineabrown.com/2010/02/bio-materiality-bioluminescence/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:27:13 +0000 Caroline http://carolineabrown.com/?p=1128

Algae cultures (Pyrocystis fusiformis)

Our first assignment in Design Frontiers in Biology and Materiality was to recreate favorite science experiments from when we were kids. I immediately thought back to summer evenings I spent on Orcas Island, skipping stones into water that sparkled with bioluminescence. After doing a little reading to see if I could actually grow bioluminescent algae at home, I ordered some cultures. They had to be shipped overnight so they wouldn’t freeze en route, and they required a little recovery time after shipping. They seem to be thriving now.

These algae are very strict adherents to their circadian rhythms; they require 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness every 24 hours. I set up half of the cultures to photosynthesize during the day, and the other half are exposed to artificial light at night and kept in the dark during the day. The algae will only glow when it has experienced a period of darkness (i.e. if you take it into a dark room during what it’s accustomed to as daylight hours, you won’t see any glowing).

Thesis Mood Board

Stuff it includes:
America Windows by Marc Chagall
Bioglyphs exhibit at MSU Bozeman
Rocky Shore exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Wind Board by Leah Buechley
Funky Forest by Theo Watson
Bestiary by me and Bryan Lence
Firefly by Jason Krugman

Music:
where_have_all_my_files_gone? by Rachel’s

from the Bioglyphs exhibit at MSU Bozeman

Last semester I developed an interest in using brief moments of delight to open up opportunities for people to contemplate or create a little space of mental clarity for themselves. I’d like to pursue this idea further with my thesis. This week our thesis group, led by Despina Papadopoulos, began with some brainstorming. Here’s a rough sketch of where I’m headed…

What is it that you want to make?

I want to build a piece that uses small points of light and gentle interaction (most likely touch or proximity, but possibly breath?) to create a sense of wonder and delight. By offering this brief interaction, I hope to provide people with a small moment of clarity or contemplation. My first vision of this is as a large scale panel piece. After struggling to complete a large panel last semester, though, I’m worried about running into some of the same problems (space, material size and cost, difficulty in troubleshooting large, complicated circuits, the stress that comes with putting all of your eggs in one basket). So, I would like to build it in modules, if not as a suite of objects. I’m currently experimenting with bioluminescent algae for Design Frontiers in Biology and Materiality, and I would love to incorporate it into this project, but I’m not sure yet if I can find a way to do that with any sort of stability. So, while I am doing tests with the algae, I’m also thinking about ways to mimic bioluminescence with fiberoptics or backlit perforations. Playing with the algae has made me wonder if there is a way to use water as a material for this project (and possibly change it from a vertical piece to horizontal), although I was originally vacillating between wood and fabric.
Why build it?

Too often we move through our days without stepping outside of our entrenched thought patterns. By experiencing a brief moment of delight, we open up the possibility of approaching problems more creatively and increase the likelihood that we will be patient with others. By sharing a moment of delight or contemplation, a community’s members may strengthen their sense of connection.
Who is it for?

This project is meant to be used by individuals or small groups, although it makes sense to stiuate it within a larger community. Anyone from children to adults may enjoy it.
Where?

Ideally, this piece would be placed in a semi-public site such as a school, museum, library, or hospital.

Some inspiration:

Bioglyphs exhibit of paintings with bioluminescent bacteria

Leah Buechley’s Wind Board

Jason Krugman’s Firefly