PROJECT: Device art S-table
YEAR: 2010
CLIENT: Iva Čurić
ASSOCIATE: Ivan Nikolić Lesh

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This was one of the first projects where I had the pleasure to work for a young Croatian artist Iva Čurić, in collaboration with Ivan Nikolić Lesh, whose title can’t be put in simple words.

Ines Krasić, me, Iva Čurić and Ivan Nikolić Lesh.

Device art on which we were working on was basically a supersized multi-layered sensor packed sliding puzzle, which you could operate by sliding the graphic image in all three layers. Every time you rearranged the plates, you got an unique sound played for that specific arrangement. The number of graphic and sound combinations within all layers was mind-boggling.

My part of work was mainly the development of the device itself – from making the aluminum frame, to mounting numerous sensors and making everything work in physical terms. After it was done, Ivan stepped in and made an insane mathematical algorithm which was then programmed into the computer – the sensor feedback was supposed to anticipate the end location and the specific graphic plate after leaving its current location.

The recess was made for the aluminum frame.

For the background light I used neon lamps, also there was a diffuser in between.

A detail of a junction box.

This small cube was in fact a strong neodymium magnet that activated sensors inside the aluminum frame.

S-table in action.

By moving each plate, an active observer – conceptually – and physically participate in the audio game of decoded acoustic characters.

A detail of graphic plates.

An upper view on the box.

The blurry box. Below you can also see the video.

The device was initially exhibited in HAZU – Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and on this link you can see more about the exhibition and the concept itself.