Animated Photographs and Robotic Artwork
- daisypope
- Jun 18, 2019
- 5 min read
We have quite a technology heavy post this week with animated photographs, paintings created by a robot and a computer tapestry. But just to lighten the load we also have an eclectic mix of benches created by young Designers as part of the London Festival of Architecture.
Photos that come to Life
One thing that always fascinated me watching Harry Potter was the moving photographs on the walls of Hogwarts and in their newspapers. I always remember as a child people saying it would become a reality one day and thinking that would never happen. Well now magic has been brought to life by the University of Washington and Facebook. Photo Wake-up has been invented by computing scientists Chung-Yi Weng and Brian Curless from the University of Washington and Ira Kemelmacher-Shlizerman from Facebook. They have created an algorithm that takes a still image of a human body and animates it to walk, run or jump out of the photograph towards the viewer. The system analyses a photo, detects a human body and applies a morphable body on to it. A body map is made which helps create a 3D body mesh that predicts the body weight of the figure to aid movement, finally the original image is used to create a 3D texture that covers the whole body. Kemelmacher-Schlizerman explains why their software is so innovative...
“The big challenge here is that the input is only from a single camera position, so part of the person is invisible,” she explains. “Our work combines technical advancement on an open problem in the field with artistic creative visualisation.” (https://www.fastcompany.com/90362225/the-latest-leap-forward-in-visual-ai-is-downright-mesmerizing)
The method of viewing the photographs is through a VR headset, however the creators have visions of viewing the animations without any use of extra hardware. This method would involve being able to click your fingers and the person in the image would move in response to that. This would be an incredible feature at museum exhibitions. It would certainly engage more people in the paintings and it would be so interesting to see the different subject's personalities and even how they interact with each other. Another great use of this technology would be for your children's drawings, or even for promotional materials. A leaflet comes through the door for a new clothes shop or something and the model in the picture comes to life! You'd be so intrigued by the leaflet you would have to visit just to check it out. I can see huge potential for technology like this, it is exciting to think of what will be developed in the future. See the video with the moving Beatles album here https://www.fastcompany.com/90362225/the-latest-leap-forward-in-visual-ai-is-downright-mesmerizing.
Robotic Art
We were always under the impression that robotics will never replace creativity, they can never be artists or designers as they don't have the free ability to think like we do. However Ai-Da, a humanoid robot has recently been exhibiting her work at St John's College at the University of Oxford. Aidan Meller invented the robot that uses a camera and robotic arm to draw. The in-built camera analysis an object, creates a virtual path which is fed to an algorithm leading to coordinates that direct the robotic arm where to draw. Ai-Da also uses facial recognition to create pencil drawings of people. Ai-Da needs to be told what to draw, what ever it may be. Objects or people. So I don't think robots will be taking over our artists and designers anytime soon as they are still not freethinking, however it is still a very interesting use of technology. See more art at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/06/14/ai-robot-ai-da-artificial-intelligence-art-exhibition/.
An Embroidered Computer
As part of a project called Stitching Worlds, bringing together textiles and technology, two Vienna based designers Ebru Kurbak and Irene Posch have created a computer tapestry. The computer is sewn together using handmade coper coils, a magnetic bead and gold and silver conductive thread. The computer has the same power capability as an 8-bit computer from the 1950's that would fill a whole room it required so much hardware. A current passes through the copper coil which flips the magnetic bead to an 'on' or 'off' position. The computer can figure out simple calculations thanks to the 369 switches that make up the 8-bit computer tapestry. Kurback writes...
“The medium of textiles was deliberately chosen because of the extremely provocative medium it provides in challenging our assumptions, expectations, and desires about what constitutes technology,” (https://www.fastcompany.com/90363303/this-gorgeous-golden-tapestry-is-actually-a-functional-computer)
It is an interesting concept that makes you really think about the technology we use. With the recent releases of folding smart phones, who knows whether in the future we will have textile smart phones. I can also see the technology being used for smart clothing. The technology could serve a unique function, such as temperature control, whilst also making up the aesthetics of the clothing. See more at https://www.fastcompany.com/90363303/this-gorgeous-golden-tapestry-is-actually-a-functional-computer.
Benches Brighten London
Brightening the streets of Cheapside in London are the winners of this years London Festival of Architecture's city benches competition. The aim is to make the area more exciting whilst also enticing people to use the spaces differently and encourage them to use the benches. The theme of the competition is to highlight the need for well-designed spaces for people in cities.See all the designs below...
Whippet Good - The sleeping Whippet is used to highlight the positive impact of dogs in the workspace. Perhaps due to the calming and positive effect they can have on workers. The sleeping dog is also hoped to provide a sense of comfort to break up the hustle and bustle of the city.
Benchtime - An interesting geometric bench that is influenced by the Jantar Mantar monument in New Dehli. The bench also doubles as a playground and a sun dial. It really stands out agains the grey block city background which entices you to use it.
Love Without Boarders - The idea behind this bench is to highlight the hard boarders that divide countries throughout the world. The punched out heart is to provide a 'window' for social interaction. Promoting a bigger political issue whilst creating a kitsch bench will certainly get people's attention. Plus I can imagine this one will receive a lot of promotion from couples taking photos for their Instagram feeds.
City Blocks - Bringing playfulness to Cheapside this design is inspired by children's building blocks. It is quite an interesting concept that you can feel you have been shrunk to the size of a building block, which makes it all the more fun. As the blocks are all different shapes the design can also make you question the way you sit and interact with the furniture.
Correlated Journeys - This design has been created to reflect the complex map of the London Underground trains. It is a great design with bold colours and the interweaving shapes in the centre which provide a different view from every angle. A good and familiar representation of the city. See them all at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/06/13/city-benches-london-cheapside-london-festival-architecture/.
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