It’s been a busy few months at the Jam Jar HQ – we’ve been working on getting some new virtual graffiti cans working with new software and hardware.

In January we started testing out the Nintendo Wii nunchuck boards as a way of getting cap pressure data out of the cans – check out this blog post – then we stumbled across the wireless nunchucks from Clas Ohlson – with in-built Li-ion charging circuit and wireless connectivity.

The no-name wireless nunchuck contains lots more goodies than the official Nintendo Nunchuck

top: no-name nunchuck // bottom: Nintendo Nunchuck

We got some of the wireless nunchucks and got them hooked up to an Arduino board with a breakout board adaptor and breadboard. Quick prototyping meant we could experiment – necessary as to start with we were getting an unreliable data connection between the wireless nunchuck board and receiver circuit. This was quickly solved with a bit of web research and rewiring.

All details from the latest testing will go up on the FriiSpray wiki when we’ve documented them.

Hardware details

mk0.97 FriiSpray can internals

main ingredients:

• 3mm acrylic sheet (latest design available here )
• a number of 3mm nuts + bolts (steel + nylon)
• 200mm length of 3mm threaded rod
• no-name wireless nunchuck
• 18650 size li-ion battery (like this )
• 2 x 10mW 980nm LASER diodes (like this ) – 5Mw to be tested soon

More

Although this is the most advanced can we’ve made to date, it is still very much beta! We think it’s getting there though – we have had some positive results from tracking the output from the two IR LASERs and the wireless connection between the can and the rx circuit seems reliable enough. We’re also still testing out different cameras (WiiMote, PS Eye, webcams, etc) along with different IR filters. Again, more info on the wiki.

Video showing the latest testing by Matt Venn:

We will be testing the new can for the first time at Maker Faire UK in Newcastle on 12th + 13th of March. Come and say hello.

http://makerfaireuk.com/

Projection screens can be expensive, and we needed one to use with our FriiSpray virtual graffiti system. After looking into some different screens available on the market, we decided we could probably have a good go at making one of our own.

We wanted to make the project open so others can make, use, modify and alter their own screens and help to improve the project. Accessibility is a big thing for us – we want to enable as many people as possible to make their own virtual graffiti wall – and bringing the cost of it down is a step in the right direction.

Design criteria:

• low cost
• allow for rear projection
• robust enough to survive a virtual graffiti event for children
• easy to reproduce
• as flat pack as possible

We have recently had access to a laser cutter and will be soon getting our own and thought this project would be a good way of seeing what we could do. We decided to use sheet MDF as a construction material as it is more durable than acrylic – and cheaper.

Materials

• 3mm sheet MDF
• 6mm sheet MDF
• M5 wing nuts + 35mm bolts (48 of each)
• GORM timber from IKEA (7x 174cm lengths)

When deciding upon materials we first looked at what we had in our workshop / material store. The IKEA timber seemed to make sense as it was cheap and widely available – as well as pre drilled and cut to lengths. The lengths are intended as shelving legs, but can be bought separately and so are ideal as a material to use. I’d bet that you’d struggle to find similar timber cheaper anywhere else, especially if you only wanted to buy a few lengths.

The basis is simple: we needed to make brackets that could make use of the IKEA timber – we needed to make a frame and supporting legs.

The MDF and hardware side was fairly quick + easy to prototype + get working. We have been having a little more trouble getting a decent looking screen material / solution working – we need your help!

Screen material

‘Professional’ rear projection screens – such as the fast fold type tend to come with quite a thick screen material – this is great for projecting on to but isn’t optimised for allowing infrared light from our LED spray cans pass through it. Other, cheaper materials have proved to be more effective and so we are still experimenting.

We have tried white cotton sheet with bias binding as a border – to try and allow for stretching of the screen. We added press studs to this and the frame – it held the screen material in place but wasn’t as clean a finish as we wanted.

Next up we’re trying some lycra and velcro, any other ideas or trials are welcome. What successes or failures have you had with your own DIY projection screens?

Make your own

You can get all of the materials needed for this project for easily under £50.

Take a look at the links and resources below to get started:

Link to bracket laser files: pdf link

Link to IKEA GORM timber: IKEA link

Example of the M5 nuts + bolts: supplier link

Beta how-to-put-together instructions: pdf link

We will be selling the bracket kits online soon – drop us a line if you’re interested in advance beta testing.

The building is set for completion in 2011.  But we start designing the technology in spring 2010. More to come later.

Budapest was our first time working closely with Pilot Theatre and it is a massive privilege to have been asked to get involved in the project. Our role as visual artists for Pilot will involve working closely with the playwright Richard Hurford and director Katie Posner; designing sets and interactive scenery – weaving technology into the production.

Marcus Romer, Artistic Director of Pilot is a great inspiration – always keen to discuss new ideas, technology, and theories as well as being incredible fun to work with. He is excited by advances in social and web technologies and as proved at the recent Shift Happens 2.0 conference has great visions of possible developments in theatre performance and production.

Platform 11+ is a EU funded project with 13 countries involved:

Divadlo Alfa Pilsen – Czech Republic
VAT Teater Tallinn – Estonia
Oulun Kaupungin Teatteri Oulu – Finland
Theater Junge Generation Dresden – Germany
Kolibri Theater for Children and Youth Budapest – Hungary
Elsinor Teatro Stabile di Innovazione Milan, Florence, Forli – Italy
Theater de Citadel Groningen – The Netherlands
Brageteatret Drammen – Norway
Teatro O Bando Palmela – Portugal
Theatre Institute Bratislava – Slovakia
Junges Schauspielhaus / Jetzt & Co Zurich – Switzerland
Pilot Theatre Company York – United Kingdom
Emergency Exit Arts London – United Kingdom
University of Agder Kristiansand – Norway

As well as one company from South America:

ATINA Buenos Aires – Argentina

This first meeting was an introduction of all members to each other and the project’s wider intentions as a whole. The project is due to run for 4 years, with new plays being written in new collaborations between different countries.

Extracts or summaries of each play will be read or performed to audiences in all 11 countries across Europe, with summaries being provided for each in English. There are a number of phases to the project  including the chance to create an art installation linked to the theatre performances. This is planned for June 2010 and looks set to be an incredible opportunity to create an art installation.

Marko - Finnish Performer

One of the events that occurred in Budapest was Schoolyard Crossing – a multidisciplinary art and performance event that took place in a primary school’s yard. It was incredible to see 300+ young children interacting with so many different performers at the same time – what may have seemed like anarchy on the outside was in fact organised play-learning and an amazing experience for all of the children involved. As a result of this schoolyard crossing, the children will now create artworks and plays in response to what they experienced. See here for more pictures of the event.

Lachlan - UK Performer

This is the core element of the project – trying to inspire children to get involved in the art of theatre, drama and learning through their playing experiences. I certainly value the power of theatre and what profound effect is has had on my life since the first time I got on stage at school at the age of 11. The process of learning lines, developing a character, getting into that character and understanding a performance is all hugely valuable stuff to be doing as a young person; let alone the adrenaline rush of performing to an audience!

Platform 11+ Ning Site

There is an official website for the project here – that gives a little more official information about the project. Marcus Romer has also set up a ning site for the participants to upload content and discuss the project as it unfolds over the next four years – keep an eye out to see the creative process in action.

Budapest was a beautiful city to host the first annual meeting with the Minister for Education and Culture in Hungary greeting us for a reception on the first night.  A great thank you goes to the hosts, Kolibri Theatre as well as all of the Platform 11+ team for putting together a great schedule for the coming years.

Commissioned by Dauntless to create a audio visual piano for a temporary installation. First prototype was tested at a recent club event with video samples of ‘Big’ – giving people a chance to remix the film with their feet.

Our first outing into the world of interactivity – FriiSpray is a form of infra-graffiti using a nintendo wiimote, custom spray can and open source software.

Look at the project here

After a intense period of research and testing, were looking to develop the project in may different areas – from a fully emersive environment whereby you can paint with fingers to a custom 3D prints of cans and other tools.