Debate is a work about the use of language in politics. The viewer is witness to two politicians as they engage in a debate; however, rather than having a constructive dialogue to promote their ideas and solutions, the politicians spend their energy arguing with one another. Their language is, once again, incomprehensible, causing the viewer to lose interest in the conversation and politics all together.

In this installation, each character is an autonomous and independent unit. Through the use of custom electronics, an Arduino micro-controller and programming, each spokesman waits for a short moment of silence to resume speaking. The act never reaches a conclusions and it is performed in a non-deterministic way.

The politicians can also be seen on TV and print.

7Nov14 | Debate

Light & sound installation - mixed media, electronics, programming

7Nov14 | Debate

Light & sound installation - mixed media, electronics, programming

7Nov14 | Debate

Light & sound installation - mixed media, electronics, programming

20Nov14 | Debate

12Nov14 | Debate

Light & sound installation - mixed media, electronics, programming (naked figures)

12Nov14 | Debate

Light & sound installation - mixed media, electronics, programming (naked figures)

12Nov14 | Debate

Light & sound installation - mixed media, electronics, programming (naked figures)

Work in progress photos…

This installation project was an opportunity to learn and build something with electronics. Each unit includes a 45W power supply, an Arduino micro-controller, a custom build circuit board which acts as an audio filter to detects a specific audio frequency, a microphone, speakers, a RGB-LED strip and some controls.

Each Arduino micro-controller is programmed with a set of rules to allow both to engage into a conversation, in a non deterministic way. It produces words in binary via light and a discontinuous audio tone. Between each sentence there is a short break. Within that short period of time, the other unit has a chance to intervene. If both accidentally start talking together, one stops. If one talks for way too long, the other starts talking as well and as no-one gives up, they talk on top of each other and turn red.

Mihalis Marinis designed and helped with the implementation of the custom board.

This installation was build for monomorphia solo art exhibition.

It all started from this gif

26Feb14 | Spokesman

is coming soon on your local channel

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14Jul14 | Mannequins and cardboard mockups

14Jul14 | First test heads

21Jul14 | Many attempts to find the right shape

13Nov14 | debate_cone

Vector design for the lazer cut

22Jul14 | Final choice

24Jul14 | Design sheets

and plexiglass heads right off the manufacturer

27Jul14 | Head attatchement

29Jul14 | First LED tests

31Jul14 | First version of the board

Mihalis Marinis working on the design for the audio tone detection circuit

13Nov14 | debate_board_v2

custom electronics board designed by Mihalis Marinis

24Aug14 | Second version

right before adding all the components

24Aug14 | Powering it the board

12Sep14 | Adding the LEDs and arduino control

16Sep14 | Three parts of the module

Power supply, arduino, audio tone detection board

11Oct14 | Both modules

finished with their control panel. [Microphone sensitivity, speaker volume, always on switch, RGB knobs, On/Off switch]

16Oct14 | Module installed

16Oct14 | Both units complete

16Oct14 | debate process

The algorithm was prototyped in processing for easy debugging and visual feedback. Here is what it looks like when running.

See the final installation.

Involvement with the design of the installation, the pre-production and post of the Nokia Harmony commercial.

Directors: Pleix
Agency: Wieden Kennedy
Post: MPC

20Mar08 | Nokia Harmony

Installation for Nokia commectial

9Jul14 | nokiaharmony_01

Sculpture design idea

9Jul14 | nokiaharmony_02

Sculpture design idea

9Jul14 | nokiaharmony_03

Sculpture design idea

9Jul14 | nokiaharmony_04

Sculpture design idea