Week 1
Generative Abstract Breathing Forest
Sketch Link:
https://editor.p5js.org/bglups/sketches/VKK9jg8-O
For this week I tried to explore the possibility of creating a scene that is dynamically generated with images + animation and can be changed according to user interaction in order to create an personal environment for getting connected with breath.
BreathWrk definetly a big inspiration. It is a minimalistic breathing exercise app.
It uses sonic, visual and hapitc feedback to guide the breathing and offer a great number of different breathing patterns.
Week 2
Mouse Movement Based Abstract Narrative
Sketch Link:
V1: https://editor.p5js.org/kristinayou/sketches/n5a4KDpH2
V2: https://editor.p5js.org/kristinayou/sketches/n5a4KDpH2
For this we try to explore digital gesture as a way to develop a abstract narrative.
How can our experience with computers point to our bodies and sensations?
Week 3
Generative Music System With Tone.js
For this week I got a chance to start to explore tone.js
I build a 3 synthesizers sequencer.
A bass synth, a lead synth and a chord synth. The sequence for the bass and lead are created when tone.js is initialized with a random walk within an array with a pentatonic scale on different ranges for the bass and lead.
The sequencer counts up to 32 pulses and when it resets back to pulse 1 there one of the synthesizers changes in subdivision, meaning that then can play in the same tempo but with more density.
The chord synthesizer has a chance of playing every time the sequencer resets.
The fact that the main note sequence is the same for both the lead and the bass through out all the duration of the piece gives it a character that often lacks in more ever changing generative music. But the fact that the density of the tempo changes every time the sequencer resets gives it some nice interest.
There is a sphere in the center and a radial gradient in the background. By interacting with the sphere the user is able to change the density of the bass notes and open and close a low pass filter.
What is the difference in experiencing an generative piece in the web to a pre recorded piece of music? In which ways interactive multi modal music systems could allow the user to regain agency of their attention? How can organizing and relating to sounds help us connect to our bodies and subtle sensations?
Week 4
Final Project
A google chrome extension that has a pop window with an adjustable guided interface for anchoring the attention on the breath and text from the Anapanasati Sutra.
“On that occasion the monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.”
“Anapanasati is the meditation system expressly taught by the Buddha in which mindful breathing is used to develop both shamatha, “a serene and concentrated mind,” and vipassana, “insightful seeing.” This practice, said to be the form of meditation used to bring the Buddha to full awakening, is based on the Anapanasati Sutta. In this teaching, the Buddha presents us with a meditation practice that uses conscious breathing to calm and stabilize the mind so that it is fit to see into itself—to let go into freedom.”
When dealing with the large computational power of the suggestion algorithms of the platforms we use on our day to day web experience being able to use add-ons to anchor our aspirations in an open and compassionate state of mind might be quite beneficial.
In an effort to provide an approximation to an experience of calm abiding while also pointing in the direction of insight into the nature of phenomena the idea of combining the dynamic nature of guided breathing interfaces with the profound value of the words Buddha this project comes about.
Complete Sutra:
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.118.than.html
Commentary on how different Buddhist traditions relate to breathing:
https://www.lionsroar.com/breathing-lessons/
Chrome Extension p5.js
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXXNIcQQLU8
BreathStuff
https://pedrosodre.co/breath