Week 13: Lauren & Ken

Lauren

As our residency starts to wind down, Ken and I are really starting to turn up the work on
making this project a reality. We had a lot of fun brainstorming the ideas we have been
discussing throughout the process, however we are now starting to get more serious about
trying to figure out the actual details.

One thing we are going to need to work on is figuring out funding - this project will definitely
cost money. So Ken and I are starting to compile a list of potential funding agencies that we
could apply to. We have several state-level Missouri arts grants that might be a possibility, as
well as some national granting agencies such as the National Science Foundation, and the
National Endowment for the Arts. While these grants will be difficult to get, one of the best
predictors of finding funding is the number of grants submitted. So we will need to keep trying
until we find something.

Ken and I are also moving forward discussing the shapes of the land manipulations that could
create the most updraft and thus turbulent wind dynamics. We are investigating the literature
to see what other fluid dynamic scientists have found. I was really intrigued by his exploration
of the Hoover Dam and hope to see it some day with fluid dynamics in mind!

Blogged while listening to NAO

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Ken

As Lauren and I begin to develop this proposal, I indulged myself by researching possible
materials for making the grid. A grid laying over these landscape turbulent forms will indicate a
measuring of space and form and nicely indicates that the site is both an artwork and a field of
scientific study. Activating the grid is an interesting possibility. Color saturation was my first
thought. Since I drew inspiration from wireframe landscapes in the digital world, I immediately
thought of aqua, blues and greens as options. From there I began thinking about wireframe
landscapes and how they exist in a back drop of black/ dark space. This caused me to consider a
glow in the dark option, or an option that would illuminate at nightfall. While this option is a bit
theatrical it creates a magical moment for the viewer but also underlines the sense of study.
During the day, a landscape and plants would be seen and during the evening/ night a display of
analytical form would be visible.

​One material I considered was glow in the dark stones. Apparently, there have been
advancements in the materials offering up to 10 hours of glow from 8 minutes of sunlight
exposure (per the AGT website.) This stone or sand have been used in pavement and concrete,
creating pathways and residential applications. Certainly there would need to be conversations
about suitable forms to create long lines of a grid but it seems possible.

​A second material I found is Fiber Optic Solid Core Side Glow Cable. In this case, the cable would
be laid and staked to the ground and an illuminator set up at the ends to light it. While the
actual grid would be lit up it does present the additional challenge of electricity (minimal but a
long term issue none the less.)

​A third option is Reflective Paint infused with glass and mica beads or chips. This option would
require another material/ cable (with a certain degree of heaviness to hug the ground) to be
painted and laid out. In this option, it would not self- illuminate but respond to local overhead
street lights or even passing vehicle headlights. This option also offers less impact on the plants
as the light generated is very minimal.

​The last option I thought was high colored heavy cable. This option would be seen during the
day, but most likely be less visible during the night. Similarly, it could be staked to the ground to
conform to the surface. This probably offers the least amount of interference to the site.

​So, a few options to further consider and some samples to possibly obtain for testing.