Archives for October 2019

October 26, 2019, Filed Under: student experience

Testing Out the Sound

The rock speakers before any fabrication.

A big part of creating an immersive soundscape is having the right technology for it. We now have fourteen rock speakers that will blend in with the surroundings and that are definitely loud enough to cut through the loud noise/commotion of the downtown area. We also have two speakers for the inside of the nest that are going to be hidden away. Everything is water proof and should be able to stay outside for the entirety of the show.

Initially, we were planning on 16 channels, but due to amp availability, as well as technical limitations, we have slimmed our channel count down now to 7.

The amps with the 6 rock speakers connected.

For a test run, we have six of the rock speakers connected to six channels from the amps. We have the audio routed so that the three different soundscapes (entrance, outside the nest, inside the nest) each have two speakers. It sounds really cool hearing everything, but there are some limitations that come with this test. The test setup is inside, so the audio bleed between the different soundscapes is very noticeable. More tests will probably have to be done outside so we can determine just how much of a problem this is.

Now, we just need to work on finding a way to create a feeling of unity between the three areas which shouldn’t be too hard, as well as getting all of our cables and speakers prepared.

October 25, 2019, Filed Under: student experience

!!!Spoiler Alert!!! Matthew McConaughey is NOT the creek monster.

There is nothing quite like building something and getting a little dirty in the process. For years, fabricating physical objects was my normal. But for the past year, my new normal has been sitting in a studio, drawing theoretical plans, and designing virtually. Outside of the 1 or 2 physical models made per semester, I very rarely have felt the satisfaction of completing a physical, tangible project. That is why the Creek Monster Habitat course has been such a welcomed break from the theoretical design so common in the landscape architecture curriculum.

From the first day of class it was clear that this was going to be a fast-paced, all-hands-on-deck experience. In fact, that initial day was spent making a 1:12 model of our structure out of thin, black plastic tubing. From there on out it was a barrage of CAD and physical modeling until we had a completed steel structure ready to be “dressed” by the lighting, sound, eye, and skin teams.

Fabricating the structure was that perfect balance of pain vs. reward, with all of the complications and questions along the way culminating into a clear and solid solution. Whether or not the end result meets the intent has yet to be seen, but in 2 weeks, the creek show will be open to the public, and their reactions, and interpretations will help to give meaning to our collective design.

Regardless of the reaction or response the installation gets, the time spent working with the structures team has been a blast. We laughed, solved problems, and learned, all while working to classical music and eating copious amounts of pizza. I’d call that a success every time.

(Prototype plastic scaled model at 1:12).

(First day assembling the steel panels that make up the nest structure).

(Nest structure disassembled into panels).

October 23, 2019, Filed Under: Uncategorized

Looking Through the Bamboo

Being on the nest dressing team has presented many fun challenges. In the beginning we had to figure out how different types of invasive plant species (such as arundo) would behave when made into a curve or swirl. We worked on creating depth through layering of plants and by using a variety to give our nest a wider range of values. We then applied a form or recycles ocean netting to our bamboo base to provide structure. The most exciting part of this project was being able to sculpt with different types of plant species. A challenge that this presented was collecting the plants and then seeing how different types of plants would behave. For example, the willow that was collected allows us to use it for creating complex curves around the nest. The arundo is able to be used in building a strong base for our dressing.

A game changer for our team was when artist James Ortiz came in to give his insight on the project. We were looking for a way to give the nest dressing more directionality, and he suggested using rope. Our team immediately began to place the rope onto the nest and it really made a difference! Now not only are we able to direct the flow of the plants, but the rope also acts as a guide for others to help sculpt as well.

As an artist, I have loved being able to expand my knowledge of sculpting. I have learned so much from working on this project and I hope to apply these skills in the future.