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Cloud

In 2014, a constellation of fifty light- and sound-emitting “cloudlets” will fill the central space of Welburn Square. This networked sculpture began as an interactive project, built and programmed in community workshops led by the artist team. After it is installed, it will take on a life of its own as the “cloudlets” communicate with each other by exchanging messages of light and sound.

The project began with hour-long workshops in which small teams used hardware, software, and special tools specifically designed for this project to build the cloudlets. Each team also decided how to program how its cloudlet to accept and receive the message, so that each of the fifty cloudlets will have its unique way of interacting with each other and the surrounding activity. The animation of the Cloud grew cumulatively as more people participated in its making and activation.

The Ballston BID partnered with the Virginia Tech Research Center to bring this project to life. People who live or work in the Ballston area were invited to participate in the community-building workshops that will construct the Cloud. The work was located in Welburn Square, a public park in Ballston, and culminated in an outdoor public event of light and sound on the evenings of October 2 and 3, 2014. The project was then displayed in the lobby of Virginia Tech National Capital Region building on Glebe Road through the end of October.

Meet the Artists

Ivica Ico Bukvic

The art of multisensory artist Ivica Ico Bukvic is driven by ubiquitous interactivity. Bukvic’s output encompasses aural, visual, acoustic, electronic, performances, installations, technologies, research publications, presentations, grants, and awards. His most recent work focuses on communal interaction, integrating contemplative practice, and improving health through innovative approaches to the arts and technology. Dr. Bukvic is currently an associate professor in music technology, the founder and director of the Digital Interactive Sound and Intermedia Studio and the Linux Laptop Orchestra, studio head in Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, and a member of the Center for Human-Computer Interaction. He holds D.M.A. in Composition from University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.

Aki Ishida

Aki Ishida is Assistant Professor of Architecture at Virginia Tech, core faculty member of Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, and founder of Aki Ishida Architect PLLC. Ishida’s work is a synthesis of her interests in spatial uses of light and active public engagement of space. Prior to forming her firm, Aki worked at James Carpenter Design Associates, Rafael Vinoly Architects, and I.M. Pei Architect. She led the installation at the Smithsonian, Lantern Field, which one of a dozen international projects to win a 2013 A|L Architectural Lighting Award. Her project received Runner-Up in 2014 Core77 Design Awards. She holds Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University.

Design Co-Directors:
Ivica Ico Bukvic
Aki Ishida

Design Team:
Suzanne Berry, Ciara Bucci, Hyun-Jun Cho, Corey Crist, Luke Dale, Zihan Hafiz, Zichun Huang, Christina LoConte, Runyu Ma, Siyu Zhang, Ge Zhou (All Architecture undergraduate students)
Zachary Miller (Engineering Science and Mechanics undergraduate student)
Omavi Walker (Computer Science undergraduate student)

Support Team:
Alex Cleveland (Engineering alumnus)
Spencer Lee (Computer Science PhD student)

 

Technical Information

Materials: Metal, LED lights, raspberry-pi processors, sensors, speakers

Dates: October 2nd-3rd 2014 (at Welburn Square) & October 2014 (at Virginia Tech-900 N Glebe Road)

Location: Welburn Square; Virginia Tech- 900 N Glebe Road

Sponsors: Hilton Arlington, Residence Inn by Marriott Arlington Ballston

Partners: Virginia Tech, Piedmont Office Realty Trust