Media Lab Demo Day 13.5.2004
in the Foyer, Lume

From 13 to 17.25 with three breaks

13.00 Demo space opens

ON STAGE

13.00-13.10 WELCOME
Philip Dean

13.10 MELA - MEDIA LAB STUDENT ORGANIZATION INTRODUCES ITSELF
Presented by MeLa-board: Lauri Huikuri, Helena Hyvärinen, Teemu Kivikangas, Roope Ritvos, Ville Tikkanen

Media Lab's new student organization MeLa comes to say hello and a couple of words about the aims of the organization.
CONTACT: Mela

13.15 VISUALIZATION AND DYNAMIC PROCESSES (VDP) - THREE STUDENTS' PROJECTS

Visualization is the assimilation of data into an image by the human visual system. Contemporary visualization makes use of computer graphics to render an image from data that otherwise would not be accessible through normal perception. Because the use of visualization can unequivocally reveal the connection between representation and knowledge interpretation, this is a frontier territory of fruitful collaboration between art and science.
During 2003-2004 the Visualization and Dynamic Processes (VDP) area has focused on:
* Learning about how visualization can be used in art and design projects.
* Bridging the gap that exists between science-oriented visualizations and those that are created by artists and designers.
* Application of perception theories, such as Gestalt, in art and design.

1. Cross-cultural design visualization - QiFeng Yan (doctoral)
2. Humming TaiK (An update) - Alexander Budde, Minta-Maria Hirvonen, Leonidas Kambiselis
3. ViszIr - Janne Kaasalainen
CONTACT: Lily Díaz-Kommonen

CROSS-CULTURAL DESIGN VISUALIZATION
Presented by Qifeng Yan

During 1978-83, the Dutch cultural anthropologist Geert Hofstede (1997) conducted detailed interviews with hundreds of IBM employees in 53 countries. Through standard statistical analysis of fairly large data sets, he formulated his theory that world cultures vary along 5 consistent, fundamental dimensions:
1, Power distance; 2, Individualism vs. collectivism; 3, Uncertainty avoidance; 4, Femininit y vs. masculinity; 5, Short vs. long-term orientation.
To better understand this complicated 5-dimension cultural difference theory, I use 3D space, color, and shape to visualize the cultural differences according to HofstedeÕs data. You can easily see and compare the relationship between different cultures from this visualization work. HofstedeÕs theory hasnÕt been updated for more than 20 years and is problematic to use nowadays, however, it is still helpful for designers to understand cultural difference visually and vividly when doing cross-cultural design. http://www.yanqifeng.com
CONTACT: Qifeng Yan

HUMMING TAIK
Presented by Alexander Budde, Leonidas Kambiselis, Minta-Maria Hirvonen

The basic idea is to develop a (pseudo) three dimensional, virtual model of UIAH, which audio-visualises the level of activity in the rooms, halls and stairways in the building all around the clock. The activities, either caused by humans or technical devices, cause almost always a certain level of noise. These noises, detected by (contact-) microphones in several places in the school, are collected by a computer, which transforms the audio signal in real-time into a visualisation of the activity level. The degrees of activity correspond with a certain range of colours. The rooms, represented by boxes in the 3D model, glow in the different colours of activity (e.g. blue for low, red for high activity). In addition, the audio stream can be heard by pointing the cursor on a single room. Depending on the amount of resources that are available, the number of monitored places can be plenty. In case of many rooms, the model could be divided just by clicking into single floors, to have a closer and less confusing view into the building.
The representation of “Humming Taik” could become a fixed part on the official Website of UIAH, and offers an overview about the activity to people in school or “outsiders”. Another, less public version, is a screensaver that is connected to the audio-processing server. At any time a computer in UIAH or at home falls asleep, the glowing areas of the school appear on the screen. Currently, a simple offline-model exists, which explains the idea a little more vivid. The final representations could consist of isometric drawings of the different floors of the building. By clicking on a particular floor, the representation of the building behaves like an animated exploded-drawing. The floors lift up and presenting a more detailed view inside the levels from looking downward.
Project group: Alexander Budde, Leonidas Kambiselis, Minta-Maria Hirvonen
CONTACT: Alexander Budde

VIZIR
Presented by Janne Kaasalainen

The project concerns the visualization of IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channels. It is intended to show the current status of a channel with a brief glace of the animated figure presented on a computer monitor. Also, it is a visualization with which we can interact by acting (or not acting) on a channel, but over which we do not have a total control as at any time, another person may join the channel and create a new situation.
Also, the visualization is not intended to be a toy something that is trying to be more than what it is, a figure of the channel status, making difference with empty and silent ones against those that are highly populated and vivid.
CONTACT: Janne Kaasalainen

13.35 ARKI PROJECTS UPDATE
Presented by Andrea Botero

The research in ARKI work deals with understanding and influencing (codesign) the evolution of the social practices that take advantage of new digital technology in a future media environment. We will present updates in our current projects:
1) ADIK / Emerging digital practices of communities: The project studies different practices of communities and how they evolve in interaction with the rapid development of digital technology. We are interested in how people, through their practices, transform and complement new tools; and how new tools give room to the emergence of new practices. Visit the floor exhibit to get familiar with the themes, approach, directions and scenarios being explored: Memories and remembering, Coordinating, Precence, Urban space and place, Home server.
(Andrea Botero, Mika Myller, Taina Rajanti, Iina Oillinki, Joanna Saad-Sulonen, Teriina Lindblom, Jouni Linkola, Kari-Hans Kommonen)
2) Mediaspaces: The convergence of media is creating a new environment technologically, economically, and culturally, that requires new development of competences, processes, tools and products in all fields of society Throughout the project we will envision some of the characteristics and possibilities of a future digital seamless media environment. We will also start building a network of professionals, academics and organizations interested in understanding and exploiting this development. Concretely the project explores this emergent possibilities with experimental environments and productions. Visit the floor exhibit to get familiar with some of the sub projects: Kitchen album / Umeme / Terveisiä kotiin / Lost in translation / (Kari-Hans Kommonen, Timo Pankakoski, Toke Lahti, Agustina Lagomarsino, Sami Raivio, Teriina Lindblom, Jouni Linkola)
http://arki.uiah.fi
Project group: ARKI group
CONTACT: Andrea Botero

IMMEDIATE IMPRESSIONS
Presented by Giedre Kligyte, Pekka Salonen, Andrea Botero

13.50- 14.10 refreshments

14.10 POLUT - TIETOA DESIGNOPPIMISESTA
Presented by Samu Mielonen, Pirita Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, Asta Raami

Design is way of seeing and way of doing. One must learn, question and comment!
"Polut" is a project funded by University of Art & Design and department of eduction. It is aimed at students, practitioners and tutors in design intensive fields. The publication offers reading materials to help learn through design and to advance one's design thinking. It is a starting point of theoretical and practical writings meant for reflection in one's design work and learning. The publication is structured into four simple themes or paths that guide the reader through the material. Please use the comment facility of the publication to comment on the contents of the pages and tell us about your design thinking. Material is mostly in Finnish, but also contains English language writings.
www.uiah.fi/polut
Project group: Samu Mielonen, Pirita Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, Kai Hakkarainen, Asta Raami
CONTACT: Asta Raami

14.20 INTERACTIVE STORY INSTALLATION (ISI)
Presented by Teijo Pellinen

A production based minor subject study project: Päämaja, In Time, Case & Molly, Yellow Cabinet
CONTACT: Teijo Pellinen, Pipsa Asiala

PÄÄMAJA (Headquarters)
Presented by Helena Hyvärinen, Reka Kiraly, Cvijeta Miljak

PÄÄMAJA is an interactive DVD film. Inspired by Dostojevsky's Crime and punishment. Elevator story of the lift boy and a flea.
Project group: Helena Hyvärinen, Reka Kiraly, Cvijeta Miljak, Susanna Liukkonen
CONTACT: Helena Hyvärinen

IN TIME
Presented by Jukka Kaartinen, Wong Suk Ki, Karsten Volle

Once upon a time there was a father and a son. They had an argument. The son promised never to grow up like his father. The role of the viewer is to control the gravity in this journey to the center of the earth. Based on Stephen Hawking's "Short History of Time"
Project group: Jukka Kaartinen, Wong Suk Ki, Karsten Volle
CONTACT:

MOLLY & CASE
Presented by Miikka Junnila, Andrei Khrupa, Anssi Mutanen, Noora Ojala, Karoliina Talvitie-Lamberg

Molly & Case is an interactive short film inspired by William Gibson's novel Neuromancer. Molly and Case are living in a cyberpunk world, lost in different realities, unable to find contact to each other. The audience may change point of view whenever they want to uncover new pieces of the blues-world of tomorrow.
Project group:
Miikka Junnila, Andrei Khrupa, Anssi Mutanen, Noora Ojala, Karoliina Talvitie-Lamberg; Actors: Samu Loijas as Case, Hanna Seppä as Molly; Composer: Tuukka Tarma
+ tutors & Lume staff etc.
CONTACT: Miikka Junnila

THE YELLOW CABINET
Presented by Teemu Kivikangas, Dominic Leskinen, Riikka Paavola, Pauli Ojala

The Yellow Cabinet is an interactive movie based on F.M. Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. It's an expressive, almost surreal film about guilt and redemption.
Project group: Teemu Kivikangas, Dominic Leskinen, Riikka Paavola, Pauli Ojala; actors: Kaarlo Kankaanpään, Emma Paju, Pauli Ojala.
CONTACT: Teemu Kivikangas

14.45 COOKING IN CRUCIBLE
Presented by Mika "Lumi" Tuomola

Update to the Crucible Studio for the artistic research of Interactive Audiovisual Storytelling.
In Media Centre Lume and Media Lab, the Crucible Studio research group studies and develops narration of the digital, non-linear and interactive media. Studio's goal is to achieve deeper emotional experiences in the interactive media and to create production methods to develop content and technology simultaneously in the multi-talented teams of artists, designers, scientists and technology experts. Crucible provides a collaborative network for universities and companies through practice-based research cases wherein co-operation between engineers and artists is realized through actual research productions.
Crucible Studio's specific research themes in various research productions through 2003-7 have handled and handle future narrative forms, interactive narrative in cross-media, broadcast on demand, audiovisual ontologies, writing interactive fiction, cinema and online gaming, physical interface cinema, political entertainment and use of narrative in enhancing local democracy. Also, a three year education programme on Games and Storytelling will launch in September 2004 in collaboration with Tampere University, Nokia and Veikkaus.
http://crucible.lume.fi
http://www.gamesandstorytelling.net
Project group: Mika "Lumi" Tuomola, artistic director; Juhani Tenhunen, producer;
Mauri Kaipainen, research advisor; Maureen Thomas, visiting artist; Riikka Pelo, artist in residence; Milla Moilanen, visualist & animator; Leena Saarinen, researcher & script-writer; Karri Ahonius, researcher; Tiina Paju, visualist & designer; Rasmus Vuori, programmer & designer; Topias Marttila, programmer & designer; Stiina Honkamaa, education planning officer; Tarja Peltoniemi, assistant - in collaboration with IAN focus area: Pipsa Asiala, producer; Teijo Pellinen, Lecturer
Steering Board: Jarmo Eskelinen, director, Media Centre Lume; Philip Dean, professor, Media Lab; Mauri Kaipainen, professor, Media Lab; Kaisa Sibelius, project manager, Culminatum Oy
CONTACT: Juhani Tenhunen

14.55 AVATAR BODY COLLISION
Presented by Leena Saarinen

I will be updating latest adventures of globally dispersed virtual performance group Avatar Body Collision, including plays "Lagging with the Lololols: Investigations into Distributed Practices of Goddess Worship in Extreme Internet Cultures" and "DTN2", and software development project UpStage, a new kind of platform for real-time digital performances. http://www.avatarbodycollision.org
Context: Doctoral studies
Project group: Leena Saarinen, Karla Ptacek, Helen Jamieson, Vicki Smith
CONTACT: Leena Saarinen

15.20 UPDATE TO LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS GROUP ACTIVITIES
Presented by Teemu Leinonen

MZig - a Concept for Situated and Collaborative Mobile Learning.
Giedre Kligyte, Jürgen Scheible
MZig is a concept for using mobile technology in situated and collaborative knowledge building projects. The MZig application is designed for group-centered work where knowledge is constructed as a collaborative effort. With the MZig a group of learners can make a better use of knowledge that is physically and socially distributed in the group's environment and social networks rather than relying on personal expertise. Small and portable new media tools can be very helpful in situating and employing physically and socially distributed cognition (for example, when going to a "knowledge rich" locations, such as museums, libraries or visiting an expert, etc). Complete freedom to choose the context and location where MZig is used enables new kinds of situated learning processes to emerge where technological devices are "invisibly" and "artfully" integrated in people's everyday practices. MZig utilizes JigSaw, a collaborative learning technique developed by social psychologist Elliot Aronson in the early 1970's. MZig brings the potentials of ubiquitous and mobile computing to the Jigsaw method.
Context: Learning Environments research group and Learning and New Media Workshop
Project group: Giedre Kligyte, Teemu Leinonen, Jürgen Scheible, Hans Põldoja
CONTACT: Giedre Kligyte

15.40 EXPLORING CARTA MARINA Cultural Heritage Forum
Presented by Lily Díaz-Kommonen

A presentation of the final stage of research project CIPHER and in specific Exploring Carta Marina Cultural Heritage Forum website, its tools, and recent forum activities, such as the exhibition in the Harkko Museum of Raisio.
Context: CIPHER and Exploring Carta Marina Forum. http://cipher.uiah.fi/
Project group: Lily Díaz-Kommonen, Jazmín Avilés Collao, Lotta Partanen, Janne Pietarila
CONTACT: Lily Díaz-Kommonen

15.55 30 -LOVE - 3D-animation
Presented by Satu Lavinen

30 -love is a story about questionable friendship, tennis, and how an encounter with lilac, semi-militant office chairs can change the fate of innocent Bar Stool. The painterly beauty of a hot summer day is vibrating with a hidden threat...
30-love does not mimic photorealism, and is thus free to oscillate between two-dimensional, wallpaper-like pictures and 3D-space. Perspective, so fundamental to 3D, is simply abandoned.
Context: Final thesis work; 3D technology
Project group:
Satu Lavinen: script, directing, animation,
Salla Hämäläinen: sound design,
Pauli Ojala: editing,
Kimmo Vänttinen: composer
CONTACT: Satu Lavinen

16.05 EMOTIONS IN MAN - an interactive dance DVD Presented by Kati Åberg

Emotions in Man is a contemporary dance on DVD. In the piece the viewer defines the choreography by defining the emotions of the dancer. Five basic emotions - love, fear, joy, sorrow and anger - may be changed mid-choreography or else the same emotion given again and again intensifying every time. Shall we dance?
Context: Final thesis work
Project group:
Director, concept, editing: Kati Åberg (Medialab), Choreography, dance: Jyrki Karttunen, Music, vocals: Anna-Kaisa Liedes, Cinematography: Peter Flinckenberg, Camera: Santtu Miikkulainen, Peter Flinckenberg, Lighting: Marinanne Nyberg, Make-up: Petra Kuntsi, Sound engineering: Mika Autere, Foley recording: Timo Anttila (Medialab), Erno Kumpulainen (ELO), Studio assistants: Kaisa Nirkkonen, Pipa Lukkari. And many others! Thanks!
CONTACT: Kati Åberg

16.35 MOBILE MEDIA UIAH
Presented by Heli Rantavuo, Joakim Achren

The achievements of the Mobile media interest group, founded in autumn 2003, will be presented: mobile devices are now in use for student projects in the Media Lab, the website is alive, and more activities are planned. http://mlab.uiah.fi/mobile
Context: Mobile media interest group, Media Lab
Project group: Heli Rantavuo (coordination, website update), Jüaut;rgen Scheible (devices), Eeva Melvasalo (website design), Joakim Achren (devices), and everyone else interested in Mobile Media in the Media Lab.
CONTACT: Heli Rantavuo, Jürgen Scheible, Joakim Achren

16.45 THE DEMO SCENE RESEARCH PROJECT
Presented by Lassi Tasajärvi

Following the demoscene.katastro.fi exhibition (http://demoscene.katastro.fi) curator Lassi Tasajärvi has been working on two books about the demoscene. The first titled Demoscene - the Art of Real-Time (in English) is published in May 2004 and the second (in Finnish) in 2005. The first book is an introduction to the phenomenon and it is the first book ever about the demoscene. The second focuses on Finnish demoscene and roots of the Finnish game companies.
CONTACT: Lassi Tasajärvi

16.55 DOCTORAL STUDIES IN THE MEDIA LAB
Presented by Heli Rantavuo, Lily Díaz-Kommonen

The new acting professor, Lily Díaz-Kommonen, together with assistant Heli Rantavuo, will introduce the doctoral students' recent work and current activities in the doctoral programme. http://mlabdoc.uiah.fi
Context: doctoral studies
Project group: Mauri Kaipainen, Lily Díaz-Kommonen, Heli Rantavuo
CONTACT: Lily Díaz-Kommonen

17.05 ATHOS-MAIL - adaptive speech-based email application
Presented by Kristiina Jokinen, Kari Kanto, Antti Kerminen, Jyrki Rissanen, Susanna Syrjäkangas

17.15 IAN PRODUCTION PERIOD
Presented by Teijo Pellinen

Snowman in Hell
Winston
CONTACT: Teijo Pellinen, Pipsa Asiala

SNOWMAN IN HELL
Presented by Tanja Bastamow, Miikka Junnila, Janne Kaasalainen, Miska Natunen

Snowman in Hell is a horror/film noir platform game and a story about a snowman with nothing to lose. The game contains also some puzzle elements. It's also a project where very different elements have been brought together to introduce something new: Dante's Inferno, a murder mystery, clay animation, Hell built out of garbage etc.
Context: (IAN Production period stuff and) Continuation of the Creating narration in 2D games course
Project group: Tanja Bastamow, Miikka Junnila, Janne Kaasalainen, Miska Natunen, Jürgen Scheible
CONTACT: Miikka Junnila

WINSTON
Presented by Joakim Achren, Timo Anttila, Helena Hyvärinen, Leonidas Kambiselis, Teemu Kivikangas, Lauri Svan, Ville Tikkanen

A demo of a computer adventure game, in which you control Winston the Repair Robot on a journey to the upper levels of the Tree City. The demo is limited to a few interactions in the beginning of the story.
Context: (IAN production and) computer game demo
Project group: Joakim Achren, Timo Anttila, Helena Hyvärinen, Leonidas Kambiselis, Teemu Kivikangas, Lauri Svan, Ville Tikkanen
CONTACT: Ville Tikkanen

ON DEMO FLOOR

1. MEDIA LAB WEBSITE UPDATE
Presented by Eeva Melvasalo

Presentation of the new external web site of Media Lab: layout, content, logic. The idea is to get feedback from people and that way make the site even better, before going online. : )
Project group:
Jon Nykänen, Eeva Melvasalo, Pekka Salonen, Janne Pietarila, Marjo Mäenpää
CONTACT: Jon Nykänen, Eeva Melvasalo

2.1.) Suihkero DVD
2.2. ) Disembodiment (Lite 2004)
Presented by Dominic Leskinen

Suihkero - "There's nothing healthy about using computers"J.P.Kaasalainen 2002
Disembodiment - "Altered perception of self"
Context:
1) Sketches
2) Experimental Interaction
Project group:
1) Dominic Leskinen, Joakim Achren, Ville Tikkanen, Timo Anttila, Lauri Svan
2) Dominic Leskinen, Jukka Ylitalo, Jon Nykänen
CONTACT: Dominic Leskinen

3. TERVEISIÄ KOTIIN
Presented by Teriina Lindblom

Small written notes are a popular element of informal family communications: "Hi mom! I went out and I'll be back at 5." Could voice notes act as something more than informal announcements or reminders? Could the context of the family be more present, if children had a toy allowing them to make notes for their parents during their day in kindergarten? Terveisiä kotiin explores this aspect of the possibilities related to the use of voice notes in family communications.
Project group: Teriina Lindblom, Sami Raivio, supported by the Arki Group
Context: Arki Group
CONTACT: http://arki.uiah.fi

4. LAST BOY GAME
Presented by Joakim Achren

The story-driven Last Boy Game is a challenging fast-pased block game for mobile phones requiering fast keypad response from the player.
Context: Just some free experimentation with relation to Advanced Digital Audio course (doing mobile game sounds).
CONTACT: Joakim Achren

5. HIMMELI
Presented by Jukka Kaartinen

Himmeli is an interactive 3d soundtoy. User creates music by manipulating realtime 3d visuals on the screen. http://mlab.uiah.fi/~jkaartin/himmeli/
Context: Final thesis work
CONTACT: Jukka Kaartinen

6. THE VIEWERS
Presented by Iván Gómez - España
CONTACT: Iván Gómez - España

7. SERIAL KILLER MEETS THE PRAY
Presented by Roope Ritvos

Raku ceramics
Context: free experimentation

8. PATRIK'S 3D TIC-TAC-TOE-PONG PROJECT
Presented by Patrik Pehkonen

This is a game that merges tic-tac-toe and pong in a 3D multiplayer format.
Context: An exercise for the Multimedia Authoring course
CONTACT: Patrik Pehkonen

9. VDP - THREE STUDENTS' PROJECTS
CONTACT: Lily Díaz-Kommonen

10. ARKI PROJECTS UPDATE
Presented by Andrea Botero

11. IMMEDIATE IMPRESSIONS
Presented by Giedre Kligyte, Pekka Salonen, Andrea Botero

12. UPDATE TO LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS GROUP ACTIVITIES
Presented by Teemu Leinonen

13. EXPERIMENTAL INTERFACES: BIKE ME!
Presented by Nir Ruckenstein

Bike Me! is an installation of a training bike and a computer. If you want anything to happen, you'll have to bike for it. This experimental interface, involves hard physical labor, in order to play a simple game, or watch a simple movie. It is a test case for an exertion interface using a training bicycle, and a learning tool for working with live video.
Context: Jitter ws
CONTACT: Nir Ruckenstein

14. EXPLORING CARTA MARINA Cultural Heritage Forum
Presented by Lily Díaz-Kommonen

15. ATHOS-MAIL - adaptive speech-based email application
Presented by Kristiina Jokinen, Kari Kanto, Antti Kerminen, Jyrki Rissanen, Susanna Syrjäkangas

16. SNOWMAN
Presented by Miikka Junnila

17. WINSTON
Presented by Ville Tikkanen

18. MELA
Presented by Ville Tikkanen

19. CRUCIBLE
Presented by Mika Tuomola

17.25 Demo space closes

Also thanks to

the Mlab Crew: Jon Nykänen, Pekka Salonen, Tommi Jauhiainen, Ilpo Kari, Ilja Häkkinen, Jukka Åkerman, Kebede Mergia, Satu Lavinen, Rauni Palmén, Anna Arsniva

Media Centre Lume: Samppa Murtomäki, Mika Hyttinen, Juhani Kantola

plus others, you know who you are :-)

More info: Anna Arsniva

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