Denise Mireau, owner and director of the Studio for Movement, performs a dance using Wearable Technology. The concept for this piece is based on chance operations used by the composer John Cage and the choreographer Merce Cunningham to create innovative music and dance. The technology embedded in the costume consists of an accelerometer, Lilypad Arduino, rechargeable lithium polymer battery and a bluetooth device. The data retrieved from the accelerometer is sent to "Processing" where the data is programmed to trigger sound files through the computer. Although the dancer's movement triggers sound, she has no control over what sounds will play.

Title of Project:



Human 1.0 VS Human 2.0

Location: Toronto, Canada

Approximate Start and End Dates:



Project is in beginning stages of production – will end October 1, 2011 when it is presented at OCAD U for Toronto’s Nuit Blanche Art festival.  Project may be shown at other galleries throughout the year.

Requested Funding: $ 400

Project Description:

Human 1.0 vs Human 2.0
(group Proposal by 5 artists)

Exhibition Proposal
Our project uses wearable technologies (soft sensors, embedded electronics, smart textiles) to show how modern technologies such as mobile phones and social networks have become extensions of our human selves.  The project has been chosen for exhibition at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche art festival with the intent to amuse the viewer and create a sense of wonder and magic at the capabilities of wearable soft circuitry.  However, we would also like to inspire the viewer to think critically about technology and its affect on us as social human beings.

The work will consist of four full-bodied garments that will be worn by four live models who will be standing on display-like platforms in the gallery. Wearable electronic circuitry (soft circuits)
will be used to animate the garments in such a way that the garments appear anthropomorphic.
The garments will respond to stimuli from viewers in the gallery space and will react accordingly. Viewers will be encouraged to interact with the garments while the model remains passive. Members of our collective will be on site to guide viewers through the installation.

The Garments
We will construct four garments with various human-like attributes. One will hold the
characteristic of shyness, whereby the garment blushes and recoils when approached by a viewer. A second garment will engage defense mechanisms, inflating like a porcupine and
sounding alarms when approached by a viewer. The third garment will be excited to meet
someone new, and each time a viewer approaches it will inflate like a snow globe and blow
confetti through the full skirt of a dress. The fourth garment will reflect those
who experience lustful feelings or feelings of desire upon meeting someone for the first time;
this will be illustrated by the garment glowing with red light.

Inspiration
The collaborators on this project are all student artists and designers from OCAD University who have studied Wearable Technology at OCADU with Professor Kate Hartman. The group was challenged to think critically about how technology affects us as human beings and shape our
interactions with each other.  Inspiration also comes from Zadie Smith and Amber Case who have been writing and researching this topic.

Additional Information:

Earthquake Skirt

65” x 36” x 36”
debris, motors, fabric,  wire mesh

This skirt is made of debris that rumbles and shakes with near-real-time seismological data.  Beneath the layers of debris are three vibrating motors, which have their intensity scaled to the magnitude of the occurring earthquakes.  While the piece can be wearable (albeit uncomfortably so), it is intended to act as a display object shown on a dress form.

To support this project with a crafthaus grant click to go back to the main page and VOTE for Option 8.