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Category: Submission 1

Final project idea: The Perception of Tides

Theme and Concept:

Perceiving Tides — a phenomenon where the Earth’s ocean surfaces experience periodic rises and falls due to the tidal forces exerted by the Sun and the Moon.

The tidal phenomena on Earth are primarily driven by the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun. Although the Moon has a more significant impact on tides, the Sun’s gravitational pull also plays a crucial role.

Perceiving tides is of significant importance to us: Tides originate from the gravitational forces between celestial bodies, reminding us that the power of the universe is closely connected to all living beings on Earth. By sensing the tides, we can deepen our connection with nature and understand the close relationship between humans, Earth, and the broader universe.

 

Overall Design:

Sketch by Yanis

At the center of the exhibition hall, an adjustable acrylic panel with water ripple patterns symbolizes the Earth’s ocean surface. Above this panel, projectors cast varying light and wave effects. Models of the Earth, Sun, and Moon are placed centrally. 

By altering the distances between the Sun and Earth, as well as the Moon and Earth, we simulate gravitational variations, thereby depicting tidal phenomena. The rising and lowering of the acrylic panel, combined with projected wave and light changes, along with accompanying sound and musical effects, allow visitors to perceive the presence and fluctuations of tides and gravitational forces.

 

Visual Presentation:

When the distance between the spheres is altered, the acrylic panel rises and falls above the audience’s head, simulating the tidal rise and fall influenced by tidal forces.During this process, the heights of the panel’s four corners can be adjusted randomly, introducing slight tilts to enhance artistic effect.

Projectors will display different lighting effects based on the strength of gravitational forces: when the gravitational pull is strong, brighter and more intense lights and colors are used; when the pull is weaker, the lighting and colors become softer and dimmer.

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Auditory Presentation:

Tides are formed by the gravitational pull between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. We want to use tidal forces as a starting point to explore how celestial bodies interact through gravity, experiencing this invisible pull through the rise and fall of the tides.

Our design focuses on two main aspects:

1.Creating an Interactive Tidal Soundscape

2.Composing Interactive Music Inspired by Tidal Forces

 

Interactive soundscape: a dynamic audio experience shaped by tides

First, we aim to capture the changing sounds of ocean waves under the influence of tidal forces, layering them to create an immersive and evolving sound environment：

First, there is the ambient sound of the sea, and then according to the different forms of the waves, several audios reflecting different tidal states are switched according to the gravity of sun and moon. As the tidal force increases and decreases, waves of different sizes fade in and out.

  • Ambient sea:
  • Calm wave:
  • Strong wave:
  • Very strong:

 

Audio from Jackson

The changing tidal forces directly influence the movement of ocean waves. In the physical world, the more dramatic the shift in tidal forces, the more intense the wave motion becomes.

In our soundscape design, the speed and complexity of wave movement–along with other environmental elements–are closely tied to tidal forces. We aim to create a dynamic feedback system where audiences can manipulate the positions of the Sun and Moon, causing changes in tidal force intensity. As a result, the density, layering, and richness of wave sounds and ambient effects will shift accordingly, vividly illustrating the impact of tidal forces.

 

Interactive Music: Shaping Musical Emotion Through Tidal Forces

Interaction methods:

We want the representation of tides to go beyond just a soundscape. It should also reflect the natural gravitational pull between the Sun and the Moon. Through our interactive music system, we aim to let the audience intuitively feel the tension and fluctuations of gravitational forces, translating these cosmic interactions into an immersive auditory experience.

So in the interactive component, we want to first calculate the tidal forces generated by the audience’s adjustments to the positions of the Sun and Moon. The tidal force is determined using the following formula:

We map these tidal forces to various musical dimensions, including instrumentation, rhythm, melody, and volume. For example, in the demonstration video below, the numerical values of the slider simulate the intensity of tidal forces, dynamically influencing the musical expression in real time.

Video by Hasse

Through this interactive sound and music experience, we want the audience to intuitively perceive the cosmic forces behind tidal phenomena. By engaging with the ebb and flow of tidal forces, they can experience the tension, release, and rhythmic variations driven by these celestial interactions.

Musical Elements

We are continuously exploring the most suitable musical styles for this project. Below are some of our key musical references:

Chopin – Étude Op. 25 No. 12 “Ocean”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vA8qX_p11w

The changes in emotion, tempo, and dynamics resemble strong ocean winds stirring up waves that crash against the rocks, with the left-hand accents representing the rocks. The texture and dynamic variations can serve as a reference, while the combination of powerful chords and rapidly rolling arpeggios can be used as the main elements of the musical melody.

Secret Garden – Chaconne

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mv411M7Fq?spm_id_from=333.788.videopod.episodes&vd_source=55d0157ee1d06696c171ec53ee04efe8&p=12

The harp performance resembles the movement of waves and can serve as a reference for harmonic structuring. The bagpipes highlight the cold, maritime atmosphere, making them a suitable element for atmospheric embellishment.

Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata (1st Movement: Adagio sostenuto)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU

The C♯ minor key creates a tranquil, melancholic, and mysterious atmosphere. The left-hand harmonies effectively depict the cyclical yet ever-changing motion of ocean waves.

 

Interactive Presentation：

  • Audience push the “moon” and “sun” spheres, and the sensor detects its movement, triggering changes in the projection of the tides,and also the sound and music.
  • Core Technology: Arduino + Ultrasonic sensor（Sensors are attached to the “moon” and “sun” spheres, and they measure the distance between the spheres by emitting ultrasonic waves.）
  • Visual: The distance data retrieved is sent to TouchDesigner, which then projects the visual representation through the projector.
  • Auditory: The distance data is sent to Max/MSP, which processes it and plays the sound through the stereo speakers.

 

Image References:

（1) https://images.lecho.be/view iid=dc:134806531&context=ONLINE&ratio=16/9&width=1280&u=1540530325000

（2）https://www.lechantdudesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Venise-2019-Arsenal-8.jpg

（3）https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2017/02/orbs_feat.jpg

（4）https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YPpqV3VpL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg



Idea conception diary: the discourse of three week’s brainstorming

21/01/2025 – Meeting phase

We met for the first time and discussed our backgrounds and interests. Our initial ideas revolved around perception, including the movie Soul and its exploration of the flow state, the relationship between sound, time, and scale, the changing tide as a metaphor influenced by the moon, and how individual perception varies from person to person.

 

27/01/2025 – Thinking phase

We explored perception, time, and human experience through interactive and immersive mediums. Inspired by Soul, it delves into abstract ideas of creation and consciousness, using VR/3D environments, light, colour, and texture to represent thoughts and ideas inside the brain.

Notes:

  • Music visualization as a journey, where movement and environment respond to beats and tempo.
  • Time as an abstract shape, expressed through lines, motion, particle effects, and light.
  • Tide and cosmic forces, drawing from the traditional Chinese calendar and the moon’s influence.
  • The Great Beyond and flow state, creating an immersive installation where people “disappear” into focus.
  • Social distancing reimagined, using sound and nostalgia to redefine personal space.
  • Life flashing before death, visually exploring the universally known concept of seeing one’s life in a moment.

 

28/01/2025 – Time phase

We’re interested in how people react and reflect on a shared, universal experience, being time.

  • 1 minute

To explore the moments before death, questioning whether brain activity has a visual representation and how this experience should feel. Different cultures interpret this transition uniquely, offering a compelling perspective. It considers whether passing on is a cycle, with memory looping and time repeating, encouraging deep reflection on one’s own life.

  • Time and universe

An interactive system where life experiences shape visual, auditory, and textural outcomes. Trees, with their rings as a record of life, could serve as a central metaphor. Techniques like projection mapping, interactive environments, and motion capture may be used, though challenging to execute. Motion capture could also depict life cycles, while lines could represent personal choices, prompting visitors to reflect on different lived experiences and perspectives. The focus is on life paths and perception, questioning whether the experience should center on science, religion, or regeneration. Narrowing it to a small time frame could deepen the emotional impact, emphasizing how people feel in fleeting moments.

Our first team picture, Shuzhang couldn’t make it so we added a little drawing to represent her 🙂

 

02/02/2025 – Interactive wall phase

We had a short meeting to talk about our ideas based on what we talked about in the previous phase. Lulu and Yanis presented the most developed ideas so we discussed these in particular. Lulu’s focused more on the tech side of things so having an interactive wall for people to touch. Yanis’ focused on the concept of our project, talking about the perception of things rather than human beings. We discussed perhaps combining these ideas in a way and what that would look like. What tech would we need and have to learn? What would we have to research still based on the concept? We were happy to have an idea, and felt excited that it matched up and made us excited to make the output. We finished the meeting chatting a bit about last semester and the sound designers’ projects (which dealt with perception). 

 

04/02/2025 – Intense brainstorm phase

We first went to the wrong room, once we found each other, we moved some tables around to make a good thinking environment. Once we had settled in Dave explained to us how this workshop would go. He felt that we were still quite undecided on a topic for our project and this workshop could hopefully help us narrow down what our big idea would be. He set some challenges which were followed by discussion that involved drawing a mind map on a white board. We ended up concluding on the most popular concept ideas: (CULTURAL) MEMORIES + FLOW OF TIME + MUSIC. None of us really knew where this could lead us, and to what BIG idea, so we went away from the meeting with these topics in mind and to research them for the next meeting.

08/02/2025 – Scatter phase

This is a random collection of things that were talked about in our meeting:

  • Fraser said use different types of tech representative of time – old projector for old show
  • Water holding memory feels pseudoscience but we can twist it and own it for our project
  • Fraser talked about art installations – show resources shared through pics
  • Talked about water
  • We talked about nfc’s and interactive art
  • What’s the element that changes over time? How to set ourselves apart from normal exhibition?
  • Time zones -> falling asleep and waking up at the same time
    Time dilation?
  • Talked about water more and the flow of time
  • Agreed to go away and research more
  • We’re showing them where our studio is before the meeting starts

 

10/02/205 – Water phase + Dave

Water was a big topic during this meeting. We had already talked about using water in the previous meeting, but now it was in full force. All the ideas for tech, or installations were all on the basis of using water as our “shepherd” in a way. Through the meeting we concluded using different forms of water to show different life scenarios/feelings like love, loss, joy,…. And how these could be interactive. We had the idea to have five different feelings represented in different places in a big room, and have each place be interactive in some way. This was a very BIG idea. We knew it was extremely broad, but it was the closest we had gotten to a final idea. We seemed to never be able to find something that fit quite right with us. 

Sketches by Hasse, Caitlin and Fraser

 

11-12/02/2025 Reshaping, Rethinking, Redoubting, …. Re-everything phase

Started from meeting with Jules and it snowballed in all types of directions. Starting with concluding this: an installation that explores our perceptions of dimensions of time

Flow, motion, continuity – 

Ripples and waves in time – 

Moments, frozen in time –

Which then evolved into this:

  • Sun & Shadow – lights and projectors moving to lengthen and shorten shadows
  • Flow & Ripples – interactive ripple wall – Yanis – Chaotic – container/cupboards with different reactions in light colour and sound
  • Tides & Moon – interactive moon influences the tides (projected)
  • Objects representing the transitions between sections

Still it didn’t feel complete or finished.

 

12/02/2025 – Resolve Phase

Lots of ideas were being thrown into the groupchat. And it all felt very broad. Lulu then texted us saying that her and Hasse had sat together and tried to figure out how to attack this. They proposed a completely new idea about the perception of the tides, which is something we discussed all the way in our initial meeting. They proposed a project about how the tides can be perceived differently and make an interactive installation/exhibition where the audience can control elements like lighting and music by “altering” the push and pull of the gravitational forces. This would use movement sensors, sculptures, projectors, ambient soundscapes and a whole lot of water. We all looked over the proposal and it was the first time the project actually made some sense and had a central theme. We were able to tie together all the small bits of ideas we had discussed over the past weeks and it feels like our interests are all equally shown in our finished big idea! It maybe wasn’t the most efficient way to get to our end project idea, however it was really nice to explore ideas this much and consider very broad ideas, but also very small ones. Each week we were thinking of something new, and it was very exciting thinking of where we could go with this

Video by Fraser

 

Acknowledgements

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