A Matter of Time explores how still life forms connote time. The selected five still life objects: apple, rose, candle, glass of water, and stone, experience time differently and so serve as irregular time recorders. These irregular time recorders are documented through a time lapse video coupled with 3D print object interaction which creates a unique time passing experience for the audience. This project conveys the concept that time is subjective and relative. The counting of time doesn’t represent time. The feeling of time exists in our mind.
A Matter of Time
Ella Huang
Objects – Apple
These still life objects were 3D scanned and 3D printed out to record the initial point when they were settled on the table before the time lapse photo shoot started.
Objects – Apple
The objects were covered with a layer of conductive paint to realize the interaction touch response, and another layer of glossy white paint on top to make the material look similar to the table on screen.
Installation – Sculpture
All the objects were modeled in 3D software to hide the electric wires connected to them.
Installation – Interaction
The installation consisted of interactive sculpture and projected screen on the wall. The audience needs to keep touching the objects to experience the time from the beginning to the end in the object’s view. When they stop touching, the interface will switch to the initial point. Every time they touch the object, the time lapse program will start from the beginning.
Installation – Audience
The audiences are invited to be part of the installation with a shorter lifespan than stone, longer lifespan than other four objects. They are considered to be the sixth matter.
Electronic Component
The touch reactions were controlled by touch sensor and Arduino board.
Electronic Component
In this project, I learned a lot about electronic components, soldering, etc.
Coding
Coding in Arduino to trigger immediate response to touch. Coding in Processing to switch the time passing experience video.
Interface on Screen
set up the camera and lights. The camera took a photo every five minutes. After all the objects finished their time passing process. I collected all the photos and organized them into a video which serves as the interface on screen.
Time Lapse Video – Candle
The video was edited to show the information of each object. The slow and gradually increasing sound of the object is part of the time passing narrative.
Time Lapse Video – Stone
Stone is an exception. Because stone won’t change in a short period of time. It is a reference to other objects. When touching the stone, stone remains the same. But all the other four objects show the change.
Installation – Video
Although the time to implement our own thesis project was very limited. I still conducted the interactive installation in our classroom with the projector we used for class.
Installation – Still Life
Still life is a form without time. It always connects with words like still, dead. In French still life is called “nature morte,” which literally means dead nature. For my project I tried to explore a new way to narrate time with this traditional static form. And with new technology I made a 3D still life project belong to this era.