New Media Design
/
Interactive Installation
/
Shape Memory Alloy
(
1
)
Time. It unfolds, merges and flies by. It keeps on going, creating moments connected to our memory and future. It makes perceptions shift in different places. And even though the concept of time is always there, it is perceived different by every individual. Making the metaphor of time, in terms of space, personally bound to the view of life.
We metaphorize the world around us by perceiving one thing through the lens of another. This installation holds a personal metaphor for the perception of time, as space: a mental timeline. This abstract and slow moving piece represents the flow and interconnection of the past, present and future.
/ year
2024
/ Commissioned for
University of Europe for Applied Science
/ material
Textile, Paper, Wood, Metal
/ technique & tools
/ Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wire, Arduino, Ableton
/ RELATION THEORY & PRACTICE
The theory side of this project seeked to understand the interplay between conceptual metaphor and memory. Specifically, cognitive spatial-temporal frameworks within episodic memory that both influence the understanding and the formation of conceptual metaphors. Followed by the relation of memory and imagination through discussing metaphoric embodied integrations and image schemas, which enhance metaphoric imagination and question whether metaphoric imagination derives from past experiences. Lastly, the research paper introduced the term artistic metaphor; a form of creative conceptualization and a contemporary approach to the metaphoric dimensions within the field of new media art.
This installation seeks to support the statement that metaphors both explain and evolve from memory. Specifically drawing upon the TIME as SPACE metaphor. This metaphor connects to personal representations and specifically a mental timeline. The physical object in this installation represents a personal mental timeline. It is an abstract exploration of the perception of time in terms of space. As well as an exploration of the relation and interconnection between the past, present and future.
This up and down feeling of the future and past is reflected in the motion of the created physical mental timeline. The outer circle of the shape is fixed and represents the present. If the shape is pointed downwards it represents the past, and thus memory. This in combination with light on the floor towards the shape, creates a shadow on the ceiling. This represents the imaginary future. It is there but it is also not, and shows that the past experiences - memory - leads to future imagination.
When the inner part of the shape is pointed upwards it represents the future. In this case it is combined with light from the ceiling, followed by a shadow on the floor. This shadow represents the imagination of memory created from the future. Showing how the future leads to memory.
This up and down movement, the shape of the physical mental timeline combined with the shadows, stands for the interconnectedness of the past, present and the future. How our past influences the imagination of the future, and how the future influences the creation of memory.
/ MOVING MECHANISM - SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY (SMA)
The motion of the physical shape has been created with the use of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wire. Roughly pointing out that wire has a ‘memory’. It contains nickel and titanium with an interesting characteristic. Whenever the wire is cold it can be deformed and when it is heated up it returns to its remembered shape. This remembered shape is set when the wire is heated up at a high temperature Not only does the concept of memory wire suit the concept of this installation, it also opens up the possibility to seamlessly create motion, without any rough visible mechanics.
To drive the motion of the wire, it has been attached to a circuit with the use of Arduino. It allows current to run through the wire which makes it heat up and move in set time intervals.
Please proceed to the documentation document for further information.
Get in touch