John James Marshall thesis.pdf - OpenAIR @ RGU - Robert Gordon ...

distinctions based on the means by which they were created (generative, inputdriven
and otherwise unobtainable).
Designed Object
Description
Augmented
The object has some kind of embedded
technology that performs one or more
predefined tasks.
Autonomous
The object contains some means of
independent control (i.e. a robot).
This characterisation implies a
relationship between two agents: the
designer that defines the control
system and the autonomous object.
Generative
The object has been designed by using
algorithms 60 which can evolve
structures and objects based on
predetermined rules, conditions and
variables.
Input-Driven
The object is characterised by the
technology used in its creation (for
example 3D scanning or motion
capture).
Otherwise Unobtainable 61
The object could not have been made
in any other way. The object can be
characterised by having formal
qualities that are unlikely to be
achieved without the aid of a
computer.
Responsive
The object incorporates technologies
such as sensing mechanisms or
dynamic media systems and interacts
with its audience or user.
Table 11: Six broad categories of designed object
An example of an ‘augmented’ object would be Peter Cook and Colin Fournier’s
‘Kunsthaus Graz’ (Figure 39). The form of the building itself is experimental
and is an example of an ‘otherwise unobtainable’ object. However, the East
facade of the Kunsthaus is augmented with a matrix of 930 circular fluorescent
tubes called ‘BIX’ that was developed by ‘realities:united’ (Jan and Tim Edler).
This operates as a low resolution screen which can display images at twenty
frames per second. Thus the skin of the building functions as a platform for
presenting content. An example of ‘autonomous’ objects would be Ken
60 An algorithm is a finite list of well-defined instructions for accomplishing some task.
61 The term ‘otherwise unobtainable’ (Harrod, 2002) replaced ‘remediated’ (Bolter & Grusin, 1999) because it was felt
that the use of this term was overly value-laden and imposed an unintended hierarchy on the objects.
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