kivaMAP

Here is another kiva map. This one shows all the paths leaving and entering my house from all our walks!

SCIENCE PUB TONIGHT!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Snowflakes, Stress, and Semiconductors: Do You See A Pattern Here?

Richard Taylor sees a pattern. The University of Oregon professor of physics is leading the way with internationally recognized research into fractals—curious patterns found in nature that repeat themselves. Taylor's startling discoveries show that these patterns-within-patterns may significantly reduce stress and have interesting implications for psychology, medicine, and even the semiconductor industry. Taylor has applied his studies to art, showing how fractal patterns in the work of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock can distinguish a real Pollock from a fake. Come hear about this amazing intersection of art and science.


Richard Taylor, PhD, is an associate professor in physics, psychology, and art at the University of Oregon. Transforming lives by erasing academic boundaries might be why Taylor was named Outstanding Teacher in Higher Education for 2005 by the Oregon Academy of Science.

When:
Portland Science Pub is the last Tuesday of the month, (unless otherwise noted) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

Where:
Mission Theater & Pub, 1624 N.W. Glisan, Portland, OR


Please Note! Starting in January 2009, the Portland Science Pub will have a suggested cover charge of $2 per person.

More cool inspirations

My friend with a PC is finally coming back to town so I will have a chance to use his computer to upload the GPS info. Hopefully this will make it easier to adapt the info into kivaMaps. I think for my next one I want to make an actual transparency, like the old school ones that your teachers wrote on during class. I might print the path of a walk on it then draw on it with a vis-a-vee to mark point of interest.

In the mean time I have been exploring as many informational graphics as possible. Here is a link to some that were pretty sweet by a guy named Eno Henze. Im not sure if these are quite on the same path as me but they are beautiful!

While Kiva's on a roll making me money...

Vote for Kiva!

god im a nerd...

A day on set.

Today was a busy busy day but I got a chance to watch a director from Laika film a music video. They used my dog in the video so I go to hang out make connections and get a feel for what goes on in making something like this. It was fun and suprisingly Kiva was better then I could have ever imagined!

On another note I have anothe "map" that I am woking on and so far I think I kinda like it. Its essentialy the same info as on the last "map" but acctualy taking the point right off the map. Im getting more and more ideas everyday!

Kiva Sniff update...

Thanks everyone for your suggestions today.

As for the one I already had in the works I added in another dog's sniffs, and cleaned it up a little. I think I like it more now with the added information.

Logo design

Another thing I have been working on is a Logo for my dads new company, along with brochures, business cards and what not.

Mapping sniffs....

Here is a first attempt at a way of "mapping" Kivas sniffs....

REALLY SWEET LAZER CUT WORK!

HERE

Update!

So its been a while since I have been here, so lets see if I can remember all that needs to be said.

Review Flash Back

Unfortunately, I cant find my sketch book with all the notes I took during review, so I wont be able to give names of the artists I was encouraged to look at till I find it, but I can talk about the suggestions and ideas I have gotten from it.

Seeing as how my project wasn't exactly what I was planning to do for my big project it gave the viewers a chance to really throw ideas at me, and while I liked many of them I would have to figure out how and if it could be done. The topo maps were interesting to my reviewers in the sense that some had no idea how to read them, and if I took something they were familiar with and made it a topo map it would be even more interesting. For example one guy really wanted me to make a topo map of his neighbor hood. I like this idea a ot but not sure if I could do it accurately and not just by making it up. I would have to see if i could get the height of the buildings in the area, and the topo of the land. After some research I bet I could figre out how to make it from there.

The review that helped me the most tho was a one-on-one with Salter. I really value his opinion and respect it so I sat down with him and picked his brain. He introduced me to a sight Visual Complexity that focuses on the visualization of complex networks. Some of the images that are created by mapping this data are beautiful, and while they are mostly computer generated I think I could pull it off. Anyways, Salter pointed out that I was already doing half of the stuff for a great project and that I just had to turn it into a project. For example i told him that while out taking photos with my dog I thought it would be funny to take a picture of everything she sniffed and he said "why not map that". So with the next few weeks I have a few visual mapping projects I will try all revolving around my dog. My first attempt is to use a GPS and mark all the spots my dog Kiva sniffs. Then with the information gathered I will hopefully be able to create a visually appealing map of useless information that I find kinda amusing. For the viewer it will be appealing as not only a graphic but as a information loaded one. I have a few for more to come but we will se how it goes.

Who knows maybe this project wont work out but its something I know I will enjoy in the mean time because it all revolves around my dog and if she is my project doesnt that mean I need her in studio with me... ok so maybe I am a little obsessed with her!



Here are a few of the images I found on the Visual complexity web site that probably will help me get started.