“satellite lamps are lamps controlled by satellites. this is a project that reveals one of the most significant contemporary technology infrastructures, the Global Positioning System (GPS). Satellite Lamps glow brighter when GPS signals are stronger, and when we use timelapse photography we can see how GPS signals inhabit different everyday spaces”
i find it so interesting and inspiring that arnall brings to light the immaterial aspects of our society, such as the internet and the gps systems that enable us to get almost anywhere in the world. these are technological advances that we seemingly over-look as being material objects, imagining them as invisible systems that happen to be engrained within our everyday devices. his work leads you to question and notice the materialness that enables it all to be possible. i aim to follow a similar ‘material’ concept in my project, visually representing the true existence of ourselves in a virtual reality
“The city is filled with an invisible landscape of networks”
WiFi is an everyday essential for me. Having no WiFi essentially renders me handicapped and bored when left to my own devices. WiFi is everywhere as well, and everywhere we go, we will come into contact with WiFi signals, both weak and strong. However, these signals are invisible to the naked eye. From this experimental design project, we can observe the varying strength cycles these signals go through within a period of time, and such observations produce this amazing piece of work.
The work consists of a 4-meter tall rod lined with 80 white LEDs. These lights are connected and programmed to certain WiFi networks; the LEDs pulse and raised based on the strength of the WiFi network. A time-lapse photograph of these pulses is captured, depicting a timeline of the strength. The project was encapsulated in Oslo, Norway within 3 weeks.
The work mainly latches onto unprotected WiFi, essentially an unsecured network anybody can log on to. The series of long-exposure photographs give the landscape a mountain range vibe, creating a background resembling the ups and downs of valleys and crests, resembling a mountainous ridge.
The function of this work is to create a physical representation of how different types of network behave in specific environments. Even though this piece can be fully seen only in photographs, as it requires stop-motion captures of a time-series graph, it would be entirely spectacular if it was an actual wall of lights just showing the real time-series motion of network connectivity.
The precision and patience of the artist to hold onto the 4-meter rod and frame to ensure the levels of LED stay in place shows the determination of the artist, as well as his focus on his work.
One way this work can be improved, however, is by having it as a semi-permanent showcase by using a wall of LEDs that slowly allow the strength of connection to traverse the lateral of the LED wall. That would allow for a more lasting display of his work.
This work resonates with me as I have recently grown a liking toward long-exposure photography, and had actually referenced his work in one of my previous experimental photography projects. This piece also sits well with the given assignments so far, being focussed on connectivity and networks.
More information on the theories and thoughts of this project can be found at yourban, where the artist mentions his inspiration on the choice of representation to be from land surveyors while mapping the physical environment.
Project Soli is developing a new interaction sensor using radar technology. The sensor can track sub-millimeter motions at high speed and accuracy. It fits onto a chip, can be produced at scale and built into small devices and everyday objects.
