Forth is a public art installation commissioned by the University of Central Florida for the Institute for Simulation and Training.
Forth employs computer simulation techniques, interactivity and real time audio synthesis to generate a dynamically changing ocean scene. The seascape projected on a large curved screen is subject to the local weather conditions: the wave height and the atmospheric conditions reflect the weather sampled in Orlando and at the Florida coast. Small row boats containing groups of people advance across the expanse of open water, and narratives emerge within each vessel as the rowers try to stay afloat and on course in turbulent waters. A second screen in the lobby displays an underwater view of the scene, offering an unexpected perspective. Immersive sound heightens the richness of the experience, responding to the weather, and to the flow of visitors through the lobby.
The viewers in the lobby are tracked by a camera and are represented in the projection as paper boats floating on the ocean. The rowers may pick up these paper boats — bridging again the real and virtual worlds.
Software development for Forth was led by James George. Sound design was created by Michael McCrea.
And a few captured screenshot movies of the projection content:
The movie above shows a few of the ‘features’ of the project:
the weather changes according to the weather conditions in Orlando
the waive-height of the ocean changes according to the weather conditions at the Florida coast and in Orlando
color palettes change every week, with a small variation every day, transitioning between different color treatments for daytime and nighttime.
the direction of the boats changes slowly over the course of the year
the distribution of the boats varies all the time and is designed to create interesting compositions
people in boats lean to stay upright, compensating for the tilt of the boat
people’s rowing is also adjusted to the weather conditions
people walking in front of the projection in the lobby are represented as paper boats floating on the ocean in front of the virtual camera
the paper boats left on the ocean by the people present in the lobby can be picked up by the people in boats
two of the ‘directorial gestures’ are shown in the demo: the ‘no rowing gesture’: people in the boats stop rowing and look at the viewer and the ‘stray boat gesture’: one of the boats turns and starts going in a different direction than all the other boats.
the underwater scene is shown on an LCD monitor opposite of the projection
Forth
Forth is a public art installation commissioned by the University of Central Florida for the Institute for Simulation and Training.
Forth employs computer simulation techniques, interactivity and real time audio synthesis to generate a dynamically changing ocean scene. The seascape projected on a large curved screen is subject to the local weather conditions: the wave height and the atmospheric conditions reflect the weather sampled in Orlando and at the Florida coast. Small row boats containing groups of people advance across the expanse of open water, and narratives emerge within each vessel as the rowers try to stay afloat and on course in turbulent waters. A second screen in the lobby displays an underwater view of the scene, offering an unexpected perspective. Immersive sound heightens the richness of the experience, responding to the weather, and to the flow of visitors through the lobby.
The viewers in the lobby are tracked by a camera and are represented in the projection as paper boats floating on the ocean. The rowers may pick up these paper boats — bridging again the real and virtual worlds.
Software development for Forth was led by James George. Sound design was created by Michael McCrea.
Project’s site
A 13-min video documenting the installation:
And a few captured screenshot movies of the projection content:
The movie above shows a few of the ‘features’ of the project: