One of our most popular articles of last year was a simple piece on an art project where Martin Lihs at Bauhaus-University concepted a wii-controller as a virtual spray can. At the time all we had was this iconic image but the artist has just released this video from his final diploma presentation of WiiSpray 2nd edition at eWerk. The technology just uses Nintendo Wii technics and Flash.
Over on the WiiSpray site, Martin Lihs explains the project:
The foundational basis for the project goes well beyond replacing real graffiti as an art form. Moreover, WiiSpray is to be seen as an interface to give graffiti a new virtual level surpassing tactile boundaries of the tangible world.
Within the system, there is a symbiosis of digital and analog as well as overcoming restrictions of distance and time. An advantage of the system proves to possess a user-friendly design simple enough for children to use. The virtual canvas allows the user to decide what is saved and what is discarded, all the while keeping the surrounding area clean and free of what otherwise would be a messy form of media.
The actual hardware tool of the artist – the spraying can – remains constant in its shape and function and is a catalyst for this software supporting innovative computer interaction. The self-explanatory program requires no previous knowledge or reference of a user’s manual. This software allows users to make the game all their own, offering a wide range of colors, interchangable caps, along with the possibility to incorporate the user’s personal photos, graphics, and backgrounds into the setting.
The WiiSpray provides a framework of different possibilities yet without any specifications on how to use it. Every user decides for themselves what his or her creative expressions might be.
WiiSpray is independent of platforms and is based on »Adobe Flash«, a »WiiiSpray server« which is based on the »WiiFlash server«, and standard »Wii« technology.
WiiSpray, a technical experiment with a lot of potential for expansion and application.
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Wow – so cool!
April 7th, 2009 at 8:42 am
A nice new interface, because it does not only copy an existing tool, but it actually extends it’s functionality. But …
“keeping the surrounding area clean and free of what otherwise would be a messy form of media”
Sorry but that’s so damn stupid.
That’s what this “media” was made for! Gratify was born in a dirty, inhuman ghetto environment, that’s where it all made sense. Why should you simulate this “act of revolting”, this “statement against smugness” and make it “clean”!?
That’s like virtual sex, like running on a treadmill instead of outdoors, like … no need for that connection.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:44 am