Brazilian studio Estudio Guto Requena have designed an exhibition stand that changes color in response to how busy the space gets.

The [Cyber]Sewing Atelier was created for an art fair in Sao Paulo to display outfits that incorporate digital technologies, as well as hosting lectures and sewing workstations.

The structure was made from pine frames covered in bubble wrap.

Coloured LED lighting in each panel was controlled by seven heat sensors and three sound sensors spread around the space.

Cooler colours were projected onto the bubble wrap when the area was quieter, while warmer colours emerged when it was busier and noisier.

Photographs are by Fran Parente.

Here are some more details from the designers:

SCENOGRAPHY DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION “[CYBER]SEWING ATELIER”

Estudio Guto Requena

In a 2.700 square feet space, the scenography shelters the complex art and technology exhibition “[Cyber]sewing Atelier” program, which takes part of the biggest annual art event in Sao Paulo – The Sesc Art Exhibition 2010. Five wearable computer pieces, lectures and workshops take place inside this space, and also a private area set apart for artists to test and repair their artistic creations.

The exhibition takes place at Sesc Pompeia, undoubtedly one of the most architectonic relevant buildings in the country, projected by architect Lina Bo Bardi, and opened in 1982. Our scenography establishes a profound dialogue with this building, in a relationship of both integration and unfamiliarity, paradoxically. A long translucent surface unrolls itself through the space, with its dimensions, angles and proportions calculated to create a certain relation with its surroundings, tearing up the building and creating the needed reserved areas for the program.

This translucent wall consists of an interactive skin, which responds to the environment stimuli, changing its color, through several sensors that capture movement at sonorous level of people walking around and through the building. Colors and distinct graphics patterns invite the public’s reflections about the way they occupy, walk and behave within the space. The main thought for this interactive skin is to enhance and unite these three entities: visitors, space and the five wearable pieces.

The skin construction was made from low cost materials and simple, accessible technology. For the wall structure, certified Pine wood pieces were used, then covered with bubble wrap. For the interaction part, seven infrared presence sensors and three sonorous sensors were used, spread around the interior of the building. Those sensors had their codes opened and their original functioning was modified and then they were all connected to the micro-controller Arduino, which converts the sensors input signs into chromatic patterns and alternate them into an open programming. All this was projected and constructed in the workshops, during the event. And all these equipments were exposed as part of the scenography´s aesthetic concept. The initial idea was to making cold color, such as greens and blues, indicate quiet moments with few people and noises, opposing to warm colors, as reds and yellows, that indicate more people in the space and, consequently more noises. All the data and programming will be free shared at Pachube (pachube.com).

Referring to grammas sewing ateliers memories, the scenography incorporates elements of affective impact upon the visitors, purchased in small shops and garage sales, like the chair selection worn by time, decorative porcelain pieces, sewing machines, wool balls, knitting needles and antique tapestry. Added to this time related layer, comes elements of our era and daily routine: microchips, micro-controllers, LEDs and transistors.

The exhibition should generate the least environmental impact possible, so this way, all decorative objects and furniture were rented, and the Pine wall structure and its bubble wrap covering, will be given away to recycling cooperatives. The use of local materials, including the interaction equipment, was a priority, and all the furniture bought at Institution “Lar Escola Sao Francisco” will be given back to the former owner, so they can resell them.

[Cyber]sewing Atelier is an event in search of amplifying the discussion about wearable technologies, democratizing themes as art, human body and technologies through workshops and lectures. Inside this space people will learn basic programming notions, circuits and interactive clothing. The Atelier gathers an expressive number of the contemporary technological art production and come up with a format that seeks their actions beyond their performers. The pieces represent a result of juxtaposition of traditional materials and techniques with all possibilities offered by digital technologies. This different timelines coexistence takes us to the exploration of new hybrid means of expression, which makes the continuous creation processes as relevant as the final results.

The [Cyber]sewing Atelier” scenography and art direction project incorporates in its essence elements from apparently distinct universes, which just like the advances of new information and communication technologies, seem to merge: organic and machines, analog and digital, natural and artificial, concrete and virtual.

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We welcome the public to speculate the directions our bodies, our clothes and our space are taking along those new technologies.

[CYBER]SEWING ATELIER

Curatorship: Gabriela Carneiro
Scenography and Art Direction: Guto Requena Arquitetura e Design
Team: Guto Requena, Paulo de Camargo e Lucas Ciciliato
Interaction Technician: Radamés Ajna
Production: COM TATO – Cultural Agency and Célula – Production Agency
Gráfic Designer: Poliana Melo

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