Project Summary
Physical Description
Ncytinasty Oasis(NycOa) is a large (40 ft) flower composed of a central pistil with 3 outer sepals. 16 ft tall, the sepals support 20 people dancing, climbing, and taking in the view. Built of wood and covered in shade cloth, the sepals feature water misters and hammocks for daytime refuge. Misters are housed in vines, flowers decorate the structure, and leaf-like streamers unfurl overhead.
The pistil is a 16 ft tall metal structure comprised of three metal petals with flame and fog effect heads. Each petal is 3 ft W x 6ft L x 16 ft H. They each have a secured metal base, topped with a foldable rigid origami paneling crafted from 16 gauge metal with metal hinging. A propane accumulator is stored within each petal and plumbed to the tip of the paneling. Each base has 50 meters of RGB LEDs wrapped around the accumulator, diffused by semi-opaque HDPE panels.
Interactivity and Mission
Time Day of week affects color palette and brightness of the LEDs, sound palette, and volume. We mimic the growth cycle of a plant, compressing a growth season into a few days. On Monday, NycOa would be pale greens and white, reflecting new growth, by friday autumn has set in with oranges and reds. Time of day influences the effects used: at night, lighting and flame/fog effects are employed; daytime includes misters and ambient sound.
Environment Temperature, wind speed or air particulate density, presence of a Trained Operator. The interaction of time (day) and environment (80°+) triggers the misters. High wind speed or particulate density triggers lights and sound as a white-out beacon. The presence of a Trained Operator is required to enable flame effects.
Activity Motion in the archways of the sepals is a fundamental method of participation. Two-dimensional range-finders installed in each of the three archways of each of three sepals trigger light and sound to alert the participant to the potential for interactivity. Coordinated motion in each archway is required to stimulate a sepal to produce light, sound, flame, fog, and/or mister effects subject to time and environment. The frequency spectrum of the motion is analyzed in each archway, requiring the participants move in the same cadence to produce harmonic effects. Coordination across the three sepals is stimulates a coordinated production of effects at the centerpiece.
NycOa changes according to how and when the participants interact with the project. We seek to evoke the sentence “hey, let’s go see what NycOa is doing right now!” as participants catch sight of the project on their travels. If two participants come away with very different experiences of NycOa and are baffled at the other’s description, we consider that a “win”.
On the last night, the sepals will be moved into the center, to wilt and burn in a final display of fire.
Philosophy
Nyctinasty is the circadian rhythmic movement of plants in response to day and night. An oasis is a fertile habitat found in a desert. Together, a nyctinasty oasis is a retreat that provides both respite and reactivity that changes and is available from day to night. We seek to express how experience varies depending on time of day, point of view, activity level, and community involvement. Nyctinasty Oasis has diurnal features that return upon sunrise and sundown, as well as constant features. During the day, Nyctinasty Oasis provides solace with shade, hammocks, and water misters. Chill, low-volume ambient music is controlled by interaction with the outrigger sensors. At night, the lights come out to play along with a multi-track interactive musical and fire experience that varies based on the number of participants at points along the outriggers. The Nyctinasty Oasis experience is externally guided by regular circadian elements, but also influenced by user participation and determination. The Nyctinasty Oasis also provides constants, a playground standing ready for climbing, hiding, and chilling day or night. We wish to communicate to participants that the experience will be regular, changeable, and replenishing.