Umbrella.net is a project with 10 Bluetooth and PDA-equipped umbrellas which make up a mobile network. The artists lodged in wireledd devices in umbrellas, made it into a daily object which fluctuates weather conditions. This is a network platform for the people to connect others from all over the world through the internet when people are in need under an unpredictable situation. This work is typical of much digital art because it is an artwork that places importance on:
1) FORMAL INSTRUCTIONS
- With the use of mobile ad-hoc computer networking, the net shows illuminations of LED umbrellas. When it rains, participants can open the umbrellas and initiate the network connection. There are three kinds of LEDs which represent 3 kinds of status : Pulsing Red if searching for nodes, Pulsing Blue if connected to other umbrellas, Flashing Blue if transmitting data between umbrellas.2) THE CONCEPT RATHER THAN THE ART OBJECT
- The art objects in this project are just umbrellas. Yet, according to Umbrella.net, their concept is to focus on the theme of "Network's Coincidence". By this intention, they use this system to discover new types of connections amongst strangers or friends of individuals in public space.3) THE EVENT AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
- The illumination allows people around the site to engage in the project. When there is a sudden rain and everyone opens their umbrellas, the relations between those umbrellas will create a network. It's just like forming a community by the individuals by connecting with each others.4) AN INTEREST IN RANDOM EVENTS / CHANCE
- The network only appears with the "Coincidence of nedd" which occurs with the first drop of rain. Rainfall is unpredictable and unexpected, so this project works under random events.5) BORROWING OR APPROPRIATION
- The project borrowed the idea from Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Umbrella Project (1984-1991), in which blue and yellow umbrellas are used to sketch landscapes.
Leanne comments : I think the concept of the Umbrella.net is very interesting that it connects the strangers or friends in public space when there is rainfall. The description and the features you've mentioned is very detailed, and the way you presented is very clear! =)
回覆刪除Sara:
回覆刪除You have describe this artwork very detailly. This artwork is interesting as it can connect to your friends freely and there are interesting design on this artwork. You have choose a good artwork to presented and introduce it in an interesting way.