COREDUMP (1997-2000) - Garnet Hertz

COREDUMP - Garnet Hertz Coredump is a web-controlled machine project, actualized on December 30th 2000 by Garnet Hertz in Saskatoon, Canada. [Project: October 1997 - December 2000] TEST RUN - DEC 31 / 2000 ACTUATOR PROTOTYPE 1 - APR 30 / 2000 WEB CONTROL INTERFACE - DEC 31 / 2000 VIDEO OF ACTUATOR TESTING - DEC 31 2000 [702K, 20SEC, QUICKTIME 3.0] VIDEO OF ACTUATOR WEB INTERFACE - DEC 31 2000 [260K, 44SEC, QUICKTIME 3.0] 1. PROJECT SUMMARY In computer terminology, a coredump is the recorded state of the working memory of a computer program after a crash, where large amounts of raw, mangled data are "dumped" from memory. In digital terms, it is the refuse from a malfunction. The "Coredump" project is a web-controlled physical machine built by Garnet Hertz between 1997 and 2000 that allows users around the world to remotely control a markmaking robot via a computer over the internet. Instead of the traditional dumping of memory from a malfunctioning computer program, it attempts to take random bits from users over the internet and dump them into physical space. It is intended to investigate technology and the processes and nature of communicating over the internet and explore how distance impacts the "telematic" correlations between digital and physical realms. In this project, I strive to create a hybrid communication system that outputs physical movement based on the input of multiple individuals in diverse locations. Traces of users' interactions are left on the floor with a markmaking attachment to the robot. The machine is built from DC motors with gear-down mechanisms, aluminum tubing, and small rubber casters. A drawing mechanism is attached to the device, and enables the machine to leave physical traces of the online interactions that are channeled through the telerobotic system. The system exists of custom software components, a digital camera, a computer with web server software, a floor surface, and the "robot". 2. PROJECT TIMELINE START END DESCRIPTION 1997 Nov 1998 Mar INITIAL PROPOSAL AND DESIGN 2000 Apr 2000 Nov X10 CONTROL COMPLETE Got machine working with X10 control, without video. Robot operational during interview on CBC Radio One on "The Arts Today" with Eleanor Wachtel as a featured artist on "Art On The Web, Part III: Canadian Artists and the Web". 2000 Nov 2000 Dec PUSH FOR COMPLETION The months of November and December 2000 saw a very concentrated daily effort into the project, as I had set a goal to get the project running before the New Year of 2001. I totally re-thought the project, and at one point was going to scrap the entire robot/markmaking concept in favour of a internet-controlled light-emitting wall - see http://conceptlab.com/64/ for details. I also started researching the theory of the work: it became apparent to me that the piece was essentially conceptual and theoretical, and I started preparing myself by spending time catching up on my theory. Parts of this work can be seen at http://conceptlab.com/coredump/appendix_references.html The work finally went online and was functional at 3am on the 31st of December 2000. Video documentation of the device running can be seen at http://conceptlab.com/coredump/embed/dec31-1.mov, and an internet-based view of the machine in action can be seen at http://conceptlab.com/coredump/embed/dec31-3.mov. Reference Notes Quotes From Eduardo Kac's "Telepresence Art" [1993]: Quotes From Robert Jacobson's [Ed.] "Information Design" [2000]: Concept Notes Of Garnet Hertz's [DEC 2000]: Technical Description Development Journal - Development history, changelog, etc [Updated 2001 JAN 03] Control Interface Concept 1 - Direct UI reference to Kac/Bennet's "Ornitorrinco In Eden" Control Interface Concept 2 - Blank Control Interface Concept 3 - Blank Control Interface Concept 4 - Dashes Original Concept Proposal - November 1997 Garnet Hertz - www.conceptlab.com Funding for this project is partially provided by the Saskatchewan Arts Board

`START`	`END`	`DESCRIPTION`
`1997 Nov`	`1998 Mar`	`INITIAL PROPOSAL AND DESIGN`
`2000 Apr`	`2000 Nov`	`X10 CONTROL COMPLETE Got machine working with X10 control, without video. Robot operational during interview on CBC Radio One on "The Arts Today" with Eleanor Wachtel as a featured artist on "Art On The Web, Part III: Canadian Artists and the Web".`
`2000 Nov`	`2000 Dec`	PUSH FOR COMPLETION The months of November and December 2000 saw a very concentrated daily effort into the project, as I had set a goal to get the project running before the New Year of 2001. I totally re-thought the project, and at one point was going to scrap the entire robot/markmaking concept in favour of a internet-controlled light-emitting wall - see http://conceptlab.com/64/ for details. I also started researching the theory of the work: it became apparent to me that the piece was essentially conceptual and theoretical, and I started preparing myself by spending time catching up on my theory. Parts of this work can be seen at http://conceptlab.com/coredump/appendix_references.html The work finally went online and was functional at 3am on the 31st of December 2000. Video documentation of the device running can be seen at http://conceptlab.com/coredump/embed/dec31-1.mov, and an internet-based view of the machine in action can be seen at http://conceptlab.com/coredump/embed/dec31-3.mov.