Signal
Morphor


訊.變


(2011)

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Artist Statement

The city is filled with invisible signals. They carry different levels of data, messages, and information. Smart phones, laptops, tablet computers and their interconnected networks, mobile and wireless directly influence how urbanity is being interpreted. “Signal Morphor” visualizes the boundless signals, morphing and shaping architectures and the environment. It explores and reveals the way immaterial signals influence the formation and perception of urban life.

This is a kinetic sculpture. All movements are based on the calculation of mechanical engineering. It includes gears, actuators and motors etc. The sculpture also detects signals; a signal detector (for radio frequency (RF) signaling power from 50Mhz to 3GHz with 60dB dynamic range) with microcontroller (Arduino modified) acts as the central processing unit to trigger the whole kinetic movement, as well as the light and sound effects.

When the sculpture detects the active RF signal around, it reacts to phone calling, receiving, SMS/MMS in or out and data transcribing with 3G/bluetooth/wifi. The sculpture doesn’t detect non-active RF.

** It starts morphing when it receives, collects and reaches a certain level of signal/information, not interacting with a particular mobile phone but all the signal in the environment. There are three in the exhibition which is attached with document and each of them has different sensitivity to the “information” level.Light and sound visualizing the current received-strong signal.


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藝術家論述

城市中充滿各種無形的訊號;訊號攜帶著不同的數據、信息及資料。電腦、智能手機、流動設備和無線移動網絡正在不斷改變著我們對城市的理解。《訊變》把無處不在的信號形象化,改變及塑造城市建築物與環境,探索並揭示訊號/過度對都市生活帶來的影響。

這作品是一座動態雕塑,包含兩項功能: 機械發動及收發訊號。作品的動作經由一系列機械運算而產生,當中運用了多組齒輪和發動器等配套。在收發訊號方面,雕塑內裝置了收發訊號器,以用作接收無線電頻率。其裝置可接收射頻範圍60分貝(dB)之大,有效探測50兆赫(MHz)至3吉赫(GHz)的波動頻率。 另外,連接的訊號器與微型控制器是作為中央處理之用,以控制作品的動態、燈光及聲效。當訊號器探測到附近有強烈的無線電頻率(來電及訊息往來,及由藍牙、3G和WIFI所傳送出的數據),便會啟動微型控制器,回應所接收的信號。

**當它接收訊號,儲存並達到一定訊號/資訊數量時,它會開始變形。它不是跟據某台手機的訊號互動,而是跟據裝置整個環境的訊號互動。附件中之展覽裡作品之三個雕塑分別有對訊號/資訊有不同敏感度。 燈光和聲音是當下這個裝置收到的強訊號。



Exhibition:

Hong Kong Contemporary Art Award 2012
Hong Kong Museum of Arts, Hong Kong

Invention & Intervention – The power showcase of Hong Kong New Media Artist
Presented by Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Organized by Microwave International New Media Arts Festival (2011)
Festival Walk, Hong Kong
microwavefest.net/ii/

展覽:

香港當代藝術獎 2012
香港藝術館,香港

發明TT﹣香港新媒體藝術樂園 – The power showcase of Hong Kong New Media Artist
香港藝術發展局主辦
微波國際新媒體藝術節統籌
又一城,香港
microwavefest.net/ii/
© Keith Lam 2023