The DXARTS SoftLab is a studio and an online platform whose mission is to examine the role of workmanship in artistic research, to redefine the use of crafting in the post-digital era, and to explore the body as an interface of control and resistance. It is part of the Department of Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) at the University of Washington in Seattle.

亮/不亮 (on/no) by Ruoxi Song

亮/不亮 (on/no) by Ruoxi Song

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This swatch project is about a stroke sensor but carries a different meaning and requires a different way to interpret it. In most times, stroke means gently touch and feel the surface. It has some sort of secure and settled feelings. However, this is not always right.

In this project, I tend to explore the opposite meaning of secure which could be the feelings of unstable, nervous or panic. To represent those feelings, I decided to use a vibrator motor to imitate this kind of mental state. I placed the vibrator under the stroking surface to make it invisible which interprets the unsettling feeling we might not be willing to show to the public. Additionally, stroking is related to haptic and so does the vibrator, feelings with fingers are immediate and effective.

I also utilized a green LED light to represent the secure feeling. When the battery is on, the green LED is on. In this state, it means a safe state with no stroking motion involved. When start stroking from left to right, the vibrator motor starts working, and also the green LED is off. With the vibrator and LED component working together, stimulate visual, tactile, and maybe some auditory, well-represented the inner unstable feelings.

In this swatch, I also tend to sew a word that can be read in two ways which is “亮”(means "on") in one way and “不亮”(means "no") in another way. The words are made by digital embroider with conductive threads. I think the Chinese letter idea works well with the stroking motion and the evoking inner worries while stroking. It's also referencing my personal experience and my natural expression. I used stitching techniques in this swatch such as double stitch.

 

Materials List:

  • conductive thread

  • non-conductive thread

  • conductive tape

  • LED light

  • mini vibrator motor

Reference:

stroke sensor by Plusea

(https://www.instructables.com/Stroke-Sensor/)

Lace Sensor Project by Anja Hertenberger and Meg Grant

(https://lacesensorproject.com/)

Gereh by Grace Barar

Gereh by Grace Barar