Local design hotspot Kicker Studio is home to many brilliant designers and makers, and most notably focuses on designs that feature embedded technology. They’ve had a fantastic blog running since last September that I’ve been following with much delight; even if you’re not a design nerd and just a tech nerd, it’s a great read. After seeing the premiere of “Objectified” at SXSW 2009 last week (from the director of “Helvetica”) I was excited to see this detailed review hit their blog as my plane landed.
On Thursday, March 19, Kicker Studio officially launched their events with Tangible Tech, a collection of works that merge art, tech and human interaction. It was packed! The started off the night with a panel called “New Interactions: Touch, Tangibles, and Gestures.” But the fun really started when the art came alive and everyone got to interact with the pieces. Once people started playing with Courtney Sexton‘s hack/mod Trumpet Hero and drinking beer, all bets were off.
And the adorable drawbot “Attraction/Repulsion” by Peter Foucault ran and banged and drew with it’s teeny attached Sharpie according to the sounds in the room. Ambient noise made it draw erratically, though you could clap and make it flip and turn:
Other highlights included the FrameBot With Kitchen by Jody Medich, an X/Y aluminum frame (table) axis that systematically erases the painting within, based on the cursor movements of viewers of the online version of the painting. Simply gorgeous (image: top of post). Here’s to more terrific kinetic art events like this at Kicker, and beyond.
