Custodian: A Definition
Concept:
The simple act of being within an enclosed space requires, to some extent, physical interaction, be it opening a door or walking across a floor. The space, in which these actions are taken, is bounded by a system of rigid bodies, which absorbs much of the energy released by these exchanges through displacement. This produces physical oscillations within these bodies. It is hoped by detecting, processing, and then graphing these exchanges in real time, that those observing will ultimately gain insight into how their presence affects the space they actively occupy, and in turn, how they space is directing them to affect it.
Design:
This project is comprised of three distinct functions.
- Transduction
- Signal processing
- Display
Transduction: This project makes use of a series of passive electro-acoustic transducers known as geophones, which convert vertical movement into a small electrical signal. Each transducer is securely mounted within a ~2.2kg solid aluminum tubular jacket to facilitate reception and is fitted with an electrical connector, completing a sensor module. Each such module is connected to the amplification and processing system by shielded instrumental coaxial cable and secured by threaded connectors.
Signal Processing: Each pair of assembled sensor modules is then connected to small off-the-shelf audio mixing consoles, which provide voltage gain and wave shaping. Once amplified to line level and processed as needed through on-board equalization, the output of each mixer is then fed into a custom built power amplifier, which provides the current and voltage gain required to drive a display.
Display: The visual portion of this project makes use of a series of modified video monitors. Each monitor has a portion of its picture control circuitry redirected, allowing for external control of each monitor’s electron beam. Applying the amplified signals originating from the sensor modules to the modified portion of the display produces a modulating on-screen waveform that is proportional to the input waveform.
