Optical Filters

Here are some more experiments with realtime visual processing - this time, in the physical domain.
First is a circular cell filter. I used a Lee milky white diffusion filter and disposable drinking straws. It's a small-scale experiment inspired by the likes of pixelator and abstractor.

Circular cell filter from dep on Vimeo.

Next in line were some forays into the world of infrared. I made the infrared filter using the black leader from photography film. The different frequency spectrum enables a cool trick:

I also got an IR illuminator on the cheap. In the same vein, I made some IR goggles following this guide:



Finally, this pair of upcycled glasses was inspired by some prismatic diffraction goggles from Werner Piepers' MedienXperimente, which look like this:



And mine:



Here's the construction steps and what I ended up with (parts used are a plastic bag and a styrofoam cheese packaging tray):

Ethereal chessboards

After a long pause, I managed to catch another illusion. I submitted it to Buenzli 2011, aka Demodays, where it was placed 6th out of 8 in the mini-animation compo.

   

 I quite like this one. In the realm of illusions, it's known as a motion-inducing visual effect (try looking at the center). Also, it looks totally different in the thumbnail, so it's like a two images embedded in one!

This one is neat: watch as your interpretation of where the "solid" lines appear changes (or maybe it doesn't - everyone is unique and this one relies on interpretation more, but hey it still looks nice!).
Now, speaking of chess, remember Ingmar Bergman? His portrayal of life as a game played with Death is, in my view, earnest (that's almost his first name!).
Trying to live a life you'd like to be remembered for is not easy. People seek to optimize their lives according to whatever framework of values they've chosen. Then, on one hallow eve, She will come to you, and you realize that the symbol of life hangs suspended by her neck (and I'm not talking about the pendant - you figure it out!). Time seems to stop, her beauty and lustre capture you until the only thing you want to do is kiss her. The whole weight of eternity descends on you because you know that if you kiss her, if you take her hand, it will be the end of "you".
Or - maybe not! How's one to know..? Yeah, true...

• Reincarnation: the dance continues.
• Heaven/hell scenario: well this is just reincarnation, but with a tinge of make-believe eternity thrown in (for if you can't leave heaven, then it's not really heaven, etc)

To escape from Samsāra, one must accept the Endless.

• Nothingness. Nirvāna, a break in the cycle (and, perhaps, a nihilist's vision of heaven!). A very different form of existence, to be sure, but even non-existence can be construed as a form of existence: it is a way of being through non-being, preferred by that-which-is-before-anything, by dreams, and by things that predate existence. 

I really can't write any more about this, for even as I do, my words seem inadequate in conveying the thoughts whose form I am trying to put into them. I am no bard, o! but I'll continue in my efforts to channel the inexpressible none the less.

Chess Master: to Thou Sand!

Animated optical illusions on paper

I recently came across this video:




A very cool effect, and I was surprised that I had not seen it before! So, naturally, I wanted to recreate it, and once more, I turned to vvvv. The result:

Animated Illusions on Paper from dep on Vimeo.

The working principle is the same as in the interlaced image of a CRT TV, except there are more than two lines per each cycle. I used the same 1:6 ratio as in the original video. My patch is a bit of a mess, so I won't share it now (you can ask if you really want to see it, but it's not hard to make one yourself).

Animated Cylindrical Anamorphosis Illusion

I've been wanting to try this one ever since I read about it in one of my favorite blogs, Mighty Optical Illusions. Technically, this is called cylindrical mirror anamorphosis, done here with a television so that I can animate the material that is displayed. As you can see, I have placed a reflective cylinder on the screen. The image is warped so that when it is reflected by the cylinder, the curvature unwarps it, resulting in an undistorted image appearing on the cylinder's surface. You can read more here, for example.

Cylindrical Mirror Anamorphosis from dep on Vimeo.

The cylinder I used could be smoother - I found this one in the trash.
Update 24.7.2010: Shortly after publishing this video, I came across Ross Ching's Distortions. His execution is far better than mine, check it out:


As a bonus, here's a video of a recent experimental piece that I did. It participated in the Nokia Ubimedia 2010 competition as an interactive ambient media installation. It's also made with vvvv, and inspired by a video I once saw of a certain kind of feedback effect. Sadly, I can't find said video any more (I have since started using Tumblr to store cool links).

Video Installation from dep on Vimeo.

Optical Illusion

Inspired by this post in the blog Mighty Optical Illusions, I wanted to try animating the concentric circles.

Spiral Illusion from dep on Vimeo.
The second part is a bit of a cheat when it comes to illusions, but the effect is cool none the less.
Original vvvv patch.