SmokeSignals
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This art project turns primitive smoke signals into ones and zeros
An art installation from the Koln International School of Design aims to give us a feel for the ethereal radio waves we take for granted every day. Binairy Talk, created by Niklas Isselburg and Jakob Killian, uses a sound generator and pulsing device to fire smoke rings at a laser sensor. Those are interpreted by a computer as either ones or zeros, with the resulting messages displayed on a screen. That may seem like a cumbersome way to say "hello," but the idea is to use an ancient, tangible system like smoke signals to "create awareness as to how much data and information constantly surrounds us." High minded concepts aside, it's also pretty cool -- check the video below.
High tech smoke signals: a luddite's dream (or nightmare?)
"For Those Who Can See" is an art project by Daniel Schulze. Using smoke machines, speakers, and a 7 by 7 grid of concrete slabs, the speakers are programmed to pulse at specific intervals, triggering the smoke when they do. The slabs of concrete have been drilled with holes, resulting in 'modern smoke signals.' Schulze's project is not yet fully realized, and a complete installation is set to debut at DMY Berlin. Below is a video mockup of the project.
