A sonic sensor detects a person which activates 8 of the 10 drums to rotate. The selection is random which means that thousands of poem combinations are formed. Each drum contains a category of word such as verb, adverb, adjective or noun etc. This means that whilst the specifics of the poem always changes the structure of the poem remains the same. Any drum can be slotted in or out and therefore replaced with another 11 words in each category.


Thanks to Matt Little and Sue Stewart.

Burnley zoetrope film

Here is a short film of the two three dimensional animated zoetropes for Burnley Borough Council as part of their new Weavers Triangle public square.

There are 25 different 3D printed models in each zoetrope, each one in a slightly different position. They are located on a disc and when the hand crank is rotated the disc of figures rotates. Under each figure is a magnet which activates a strobe light above the figure. The flickering on and off reveals each figure as it passes the viewer like flip book.  Due to persistence of vision this creates the appearance of the three dimensional figures coming to life.

Many thanks to Seb Boyesen and Burnley Borough Council.

Short film and some stills of 'Line of Light', Nottingham.

 Link to a short film and some stills of 'Line of Light', Nottingham

Nottingham lighting installation completed

The installation of the Nottingham lights under the Station Street tram bridge, down Trent Street and under the canal arch is now complete. The lights under the bridge and tram overhang change colour with different pattern over lays so that the pattern and form are never repeated from hour to hour, evening to evening, week to week, year to year.

As the trams pass overhead they activate new patterns under the bridge moving in the direction of the tram. 

The canal arch also changes colour over the water but this is slower and the gobo projection of Nottingham lace stays the same but looks different as the gentle floods change colour. 

The poems are all up and ready now and the piece is switched off until a September launch.

Here are some quick pictures from last night. Andrew Hilton will be photographing and filming the piece properly. My aim is for Andrew to photograph every single projected to poem to make a collection.

Massive thanks again go to Duncan Turner. A gem of a man. Also to Sharon Scaniglia and Nottingham City Council.

Nottingham Lights install (test)

Last night Duncan and I tested the programming of the lights under the tram bridge outside Nottingham railway Station. We tested the lighting responding to trams movement overhead.  Apart from the visual spectacle it was exciting to experience the dovetailing of sound, visuals and movement.

We also tested the projection of poems. I am grateful to Andrew Motion, John Hegley and Jake Bugg for giving us permission to use their terrific words. Testing will recommence in two weeks time.

Massive thanks to Duncan Turner, Sharon Scaniglia and Nottingham City Council.

Nottingham Trent Street Lighting test

Most of the responsive LED lights along Trent Street in Nottingham have been installed by Duncan now. These lights under the overhang of the tram line in Nottingham respond to tram movement above. The 80m of lights connect the responsive lights under the tram bridge to the canal arch coloured lighting and gobo projection. More photographs of those areas to follow. The piece is due to be launched in September.

Faber and Faber are currently considering giving permission to use Ted Hughes poems as part of the 365 projected poems.

Massive thanks to Duncan Turner, Sharon Scaniglia and Nottingham City Council.

Interactive 3d text sample

I have completed another in the series of interactive wall samples. I have developed some three dimensional text which appears and breaks up according to the viewers movement in front of the wall (sample).

I have used sonic sensors again and these are programmed to respond to people when they reach .5m from the wall.

This image shows four stages of the words forming from an abstract beginning. The letters are individually responsive.

Many thanks to Matt Little.