The 5th EPOC[h] - proto/e/co/logics - 19-23 August 2013

The 5th EPOC[h] – proto/e/co/logics – 19-23 August 2013

The more we explore the architecture of matter, the more we realize the fabric of our reality is ultimately made of information; such information is not a purely abstract entity, it needs a body in order to express itself as such. We do not simply observe reality; our brain builds continuously dynamic models made of spatialized (embodied) information. The process of architecture starts when the embodiment takes place, from the set of relations that define a system, by establishing relations among independent objects (which, in turn, are information systems on a finer scale). We build such models in our brains first and as tools and models then, causing as a feedback effect the reconfiguration of our brains so they comprehended the world on the same terms as our toolmaking hands interacted with it. So, the topology and morphology of our bodies matter in the way we understand our reality and interact with it, we learn through our body as well as through our brain.

Ray Kurzweil classified evolution 6 epochs, each corresponding to the mechanism of storing information: chemistry, biology, brains, hardware & software are the first four. “The fifth epoch, which we are now initiating, is when the technology creating species (that’s us) uses its technology to understand (that is, to reverse-engineer) its own biology, including the methods of its brains, and incorporates the design ideas borrowed from biology into its own technology.” (Ray Kurzweil –   Why Language Is All Thumbs – Foreword notes).

The workshop will thrive on the idea of the fifth epoch as an entry point to speculate (through brain patterns mapping done with Emotiv EPOC brain-computer interface and codes written in Processing) on the translation of real time information from brain signals into object oriented spatial individuations (bodies) that then will interact and mutate according to the persona’s feedback, other generated bodies and/or a dynamic environment. The real time visual feedback with the coded body influences the brain pattern that feedbacks to the same body modifying its morphology and/or behavior, thus enabling through propagation and feedback an ecology that is not merely analytic, reducible to a bare input-output signal sequence, but searches a “loop through”, a dialogue through the otherness to (re)define the self. In other words, an emerging empathy: a more vibrant way of relating with bodily, spatial and computational based sensibilities through a fast, dynamic iterative tuning within ever changing conditions. The aim is to expose the consequences of the established relations both in form of generated bodies’ morphology and behavior (embedded information) and information patterns for mapping and communication (coded information) through interactive digital models, stills and videos.
We will write our own unconventional programming strategies in the scripting- framework Processing.

Supervision: Alessio Erioli, Andrea Graziano
Affiliations: Co-de-iT – Computational design Italy – www.co-de-it.com
a collaboration between Co-de-iT and MLAUS / proto/e/co/logics

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Processing + BCI [Brain Computer Interface] Workshop

19-23.08.2013

[.]Tutors:

Andrea Graziano + Alessio Erioli – Co-de-iT

[.]Venue:

National Park Brijuni / Istria-Croatia

[.]Schedule:

DAY 1 >workshop introduction & lecture ‘emerging empathy’’ the
Emotiv EPOC headset tool Processing morning session EPOC uses in
art, music & design examples & case studies Processing afternoon
session time to practice.
DAY 2 >Processing morning session lunchbox talk Processing after
noon session time to practice.
DAY 3 >processing morning session lunchbox talk processing after
noon session time to practice.
DAY 4 >all day intensive design (tutored work).
DAY 5 >morning intensive design & material finalization final pre
sentation.

[.]Processing topics:

All topics will be explored with the aid of reference code sketches.
. Foundation: recalls of basic programming principles, mathematics and geometry for creative computing.
. Modularity: introduction to Object Oriented Programming: objects, behaviors, libraries.
. Construction of complexity: bottom-up logics, iteration, recursion, feedback
. Agency & matter: programming behaviors, agent-based systems, material dynamics
. “Body Building”: understanding topology, building geometry, growing by isocondition, diffusion, aggregation
. Mapping & infosthetics: input-output of data, mapping operations between domains, export as graphic, image, movie, 3D geometry

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[.] Software, Skills & Hardware Requirements:

No specific skills required to participants. Any programming language skill is welcome as well as an interest in one or more of these topics: #brain #cognition #intelligence #computation #biohacking #evolution

During the workshop we’ll teach Processing and the use of EPOC software/hardware.

All workshop participants are required to bring their own laptop with Microsoft Windows operating system and Processing – downloadable from http://processing.org/ – installed and operating. Participants will also receive a custom software package prior to the workshop beginning.

[.]Emotiv EPOC headset

Based on the latest developments in neuro-technology, Emotiv presents a revolutionary personal interface for human computer interaction. Emotiv EPOC is a high resolution, multi-channel, wireless neuroheadset. The EPOC uses a set of 14 sensors plus 2 references to tune into electric signals produced by the brain to detect the user’s thoughts, feelings and expressions in real time.

More info on EPOC here:
– link to Emotiv website: http://www.emotiv.com/
– link to Emotiv EPOC features: http://www.emotiv.com/epoc/features.php
– link to Emotiv EPOC youtube webpage:  http://www.youtube.com/emotivstation

[.]Workshop Price

285 EUR / 2.140kn ( symposium entrance fee included )

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[.]Info & Registration

info@mlaus.net / T +385.52.522170 / F +385.52.522184 – website: http://proto-e-co-logics.mlaus.net/

[.]Material Download

5thEPOC(h)_Workshop.pdf
Symposium_PE003_Packages.pdf
LowCostCarriers_FlightPlan2013.pdf

 [.] Link to Event

http://proto-e-co-logics.mlaus.net/