Children of Hangzou
Interactive systems design, electronic circuit design,programming and fabrication for the Children of Hangzou exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum, Boston, MA. Spring 2015.
MY SKY
Interactive systems design, electronic circuit design and programming, lighting system design and installation for the MY SKY exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum, Boston, MA. July through December 2014
[LIST PROJECTS] SERGEI TCHEREPNIN
Electronic circuit design, media system design and programming for various interactive sculptures for the Sergei Tcherepnin exhibit at the LIST Visual Arts Center at MIT, Cambridge, MA July 15 - October 19, 2014
Chris Marker: Guillaume-en-Egypte
Design, engineering, fabrication and installation of an interactive touch screen based video playback system for the exhibition at the List Visual Arts Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA, October 2013 - January 2014
"The Marker sensibility — playful, intelligent, cool, lucid, deeply humane, audacious, happily heterodox, searching, skeptical, relaxed, restless, constantly curious, elegant (both intellectually and visually), historicist yet also up-to-the-minute and much drawn to technology — is on full and entrancing display at the MIT List Visual Arts Center and Harvard’s Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts. The exhibition, “Chris Marker: Guillaume-en-Égypte,” runs at Harvard through Dec. 22 and at MIT through Jan. 5. And the Harvard Film Archive hosts a Marker retrospective through Dec. 16. Taken together, they are a signal event in the cultural life of Greater Boston and a gratifying reminder of how enriching institutional collaboration can be."
(Guillaume-en-Égypte? It was the name of Marker’s cat, who then provided the model for his computer avatar.)
"The List has the lion’s share of “Chris Marker: Guillaume-en-Égypte.” Monitors show a selection of two dozen or more of his films. Subjects include whales, Siberia, Tokyo, folk art in San Francisco Bay (that one lasts all of six minutes), a solar eclipse (not the eclipse itself, but the people observing it – a telling Markerish distinction), a French workers’ strike in 1968, the ‘30s photojournalist Denise Bellon. Nothing human was exotic to Marker."
-The Boston Globe
(Guillaume-en-Égypte? It was the name of Marker’s cat, who then provided the model for his computer avatar.)
"The List has the lion’s share of “Chris Marker: Guillaume-en-Égypte.” Monitors show a selection of two dozen or more of his films. Subjects include whales, Siberia, Tokyo, folk art in San Francisco Bay (that one lasts all of six minutes), a solar eclipse (not the eclipse itself, but the people observing it – a telling Markerish distinction), a French workers’ strike in 1968, the ‘30s photojournalist Denise Bellon. Nothing human was exotic to Marker."
-The Boston Globe
Sonic Fireflies
Design engineering, electronic circuit design, fabrication and programming for "Sonic Fireflies" installation by Christopher Janney at the Revel Resort in Atlantic City, May 2012.
"This one-of-a-kind artwork created exclusively for Revel is composed of numerous elements. First, as passersby enter the space, they will hear a series of environmental sound tracks – from breaking ocean waves, seagulls chirping and calls of children playing, to deep water sounds such as whales, porpoises and “mermaids.” Then, by walking beneath one of the 63 “electronic fireflies,” they will trigger soft accents of flutes, marimbas, tabla drums and oboes paired with the flash of a colored light. Each firefly unit contains a small audio speaker, a full-color computer-controlled LED light and sonar-sensor detecting movement throughout the space. At certain times of the day, structured patterns of light and sound, or “The Ghost” as Janney calls it, will also appear to simulate a group of fireflies flying through the space all at once."
"This one-of-a-kind artwork created exclusively for Revel is composed of numerous elements. First, as passersby enter the space, they will hear a series of environmental sound tracks – from breaking ocean waves, seagulls chirping and calls of children playing, to deep water sounds such as whales, porpoises and “mermaids.” Then, by walking beneath one of the 63 “electronic fireflies,” they will trigger soft accents of flutes, marimbas, tabla drums and oboes paired with the flash of a colored light. Each firefly unit contains a small audio speaker, a full-color computer-controlled LED light and sonar-sensor detecting movement throughout the space. At certain times of the day, structured patterns of light and sound, or “The Ghost” as Janney calls it, will also appear to simulate a group of fireflies flying through the space all at once."
Reflex
Electronic engineering, electronic circuit design and fabrication, and programming for this interactive installation by Tim Murdoch at Mass Art, Boston, MA in 2012.
"Reflex is an interactive installation consisting of stainless steel mirrors, springs, bungee cords, reflex hammers, pressure sensitive switches and a micro-controller. When a person sits on the bench a sensor is activated that sends a signal to the micro-controller, which randomly selects a hammer to strike the side of a spring causing a ripple across the wall. The springs and mirrors are connected in networks through the bungee cords. Reflex makes visible our influences on each other and the world."
"Reflex is an interactive installation consisting of stainless steel mirrors, springs, bungee cords, reflex hammers, pressure sensitive switches and a micro-controller. When a person sits on the bench a sensor is activated that sends a signal to the micro-controller, which randomly selects a hammer to strike the side of a spring causing a ripple across the wall. The springs and mirrors are connected in networks through the bungee cords. Reflex makes visible our influences on each other and the world."
I Have No Use For Flowers
Engineering consultation, circuit design and programming for this gallery installation by Andrew Neumann at the Meme Gallery, Cambridge, MA
Jellies
When the color dials on a jelly fish tank exhibit at the New England Aquarium began to fail prematurely, I was asked to evaluate the installation. I found that the mechanical encoder used in the stock control (which was designed for home use) was only rated for 15,000 revolutions. This represented about one month of actual use in this very well loved public display. I was able to "hack" the control and replace the stock encoder with an optical equivalent that was rated for over 1 million revolutions, greatly extending the life of the device. Years later I provided modified color dials for an aquarium in Dallas, TX with a similar exhibit
NBA on NBC
RGBA LED lighting system engineering, fabrication and installation for the NBA on NBC television studio, ESPN, Bristol, CT 2008
Pieces of Eight
Collaboration with Deb Todd Wheeler on an interactive sculpture for the Megopolis Festival, Cambridge, MA 2009
Turn Up The Heat
Electrical engineering, lighting and special effects engineering, fabrication and installation for the scoreboard at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, 1999.
A public art installation designed by sound artist Christopher Janney.
A public art installation designed by sound artist Christopher Janney.
"Unlike other arena scoreboards which are visually massive and solid, this piece is composed of two aluminum geodesic spheres, one inside the other, making it strong, lightweight and visually transparent. Thirty feet in diameter, the piece resembles a giant sea anemone with tentacles spreading out in all directions. The “tentacles” hold the several clocks along with the replay, statistics, and advertising boards. Constructed in a brushed aluminum finish, the piece is illuminated by computer-controlled lights, changing color over time."
"An integral part of the opening ceremonies before each Heat game, Turn Up The Heat is crowd-interactive—changing scoreboard colors from dark to light as the crowd raises the volume of their voices—culminating with a dynamic fire-works display."
"An integral part of the opening ceremonies before each Heat game, Turn Up The Heat is crowd-interactive—changing scoreboard colors from dark to light as the crowd raises the volume of their voices—culminating with a dynamic fire-works display."
Beyond the X-Ray
LED lighting and interactive controller design, programming and installation for the interactive exhibit at the Museum of Science, Boston, MA., 2005.
The Hall at Patriot Place
Interactive exhibit systems design, programming and fabrication for exhibits at Patriot Place, Foxboro, MA, 2008
Aladdin's Magic Carpet Prop
Mechanical and electrical engineering design, motion control system design, fabrication, installation and programming for a magic carpet effect for a production of Aladdin on a cruise ship, Venice, Italy, 1997.
Making Waves
Interactive development, systems design, electronic design, programming and fabrication. Blue Man Group's "Making Waves" exhibit, Boston Children's Museum, 2007
Architectural Model Illumination
LED lighting for an architectural model by Cambridge Seven Associates.
How High Can You Jump?
I'm often asked that question.
Systems design, fabrication and programming this interactive exhibit for the Health Exploration Station, Canton, MI. 1996
Systems design, fabrication and programming this interactive exhibit for the Health Exploration Station, Canton, MI. 1996
Media Glockenspiel
Mechanical design, electronic design, motion control programming and project management for the Media Glockenspiel in the Sonic Plaza, a public art installation by sound artist Christopher Janney at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. 1997
Media Glockenspiel
Here is a video of the Artipult mechanism of the Media Glockenspiel at the Sonic Plaza at ECU.
The mechanism selects one of four student designed sculptures and presents them at various times of day.
The copper rooster comes out at dawn, the brass horns at noon, the cannon at sunset and the joker at midnight.
Associated audio accompanies the sculptures. Some of the sculptures have internal lighting.
The monitors turn on at dusk. The anemometer and other environmental sensors monitor the weather and prevent the mechanism from operating during inclement weather. I designed the Artipult mechanism and it's control systems.
The mechanism selects one of four student designed sculptures and presents them at various times of day.
The copper rooster comes out at dawn, the brass horns at noon, the cannon at sunset and the joker at midnight.
Associated audio accompanies the sculptures. Some of the sculptures have internal lighting.
The monitors turn on at dusk. The anemometer and other environmental sensors monitor the weather and prevent the mechanism from operating during inclement weather. I designed the Artipult mechanism and it's control systems.
Phantom Light
An exhibit of my own work at the Nesto Gallery in Milton, MA., 2005.
"David O'Brien puts microprocessor-driven circuits in obsolete technologies to create patterns of light and sound. The pieces look retro. Spent of their initial function, they now seem ghostly and startlingly communicative." The Boston Globe, 4/15/2005
"David O'Brien puts microprocessor-driven circuits in obsolete technologies to create patterns of light and sound. The pieces look retro. Spent of their initial function, they now seem ghostly and startlingly communicative." The Boston Globe, 4/15/2005
Walk Through Computer
Electronic and electro-mechanical design and fabrication for the "Walk Through Computer" exhibit at the Computer Museum, Boston, MA., 1993
Andrew Neumann
Design Consultation, Electronic Engineering and Programming for numerous sculptures and constructions. 1990 to present.
Lightpoint
Systems Design, Fabrication and Installation for Osram Sylvania's Institute for Lighting Technology in Danvers, MA. 1993
Fire Ring
Design and fabrication of this fire ring, cut with a waterjet from a sheet of 1/4" steel. Modeled with Sketch-Up. Dedham, MA 2008
What is your wingspan?
Exhibit Fabrication for the Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton, Ma 2012. Modeled with Sketch-Up.
Exhibit Fabrication for the Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton, MA. 2012
Stage Automation and Special Effects
Stage automation and special effects design, fabrication and installation. Venice, Italy, 1997,1998.
Firetruck Exhibit
Interactive elements in modified firetruck, Staten Island Children's Museum, NY. 2004
Miscellaneous:
It's a popular misconception that Leo Fender invented the Telephonocaster; but actually it was moi. Circa 1982
Swirling LED eyes for Kaa Puppet for a production of Jungle Book in Orlando, FL. 1998
Tesla Coils at the Theater of Electricity, Museum of Science, Boston, MA. 2002
Drop Box device for the Rosie O'Donnell show, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC. 1998
Cast "Tinkerbelle" lighting effect for a production of Peter Pan, Venice, Italy. 1998
Illuminated heartbeat monitor for the Health Exploration Station, Canton, MI. 1996
Hand wired multi-circuit star drop. Ft. Laudardale, FL. 1991
Voltage monitor for electric motorcycle, Dedham, MA 2010
Animated Godzilla for object theater installation "Teen Tokyo", Boston Children's Museum, Boston, MA 1992
Interactive exhibit utilizing LED's and an encoder. Lake Champlain Basin Science Center, Burlington, VT 1993.
I worked with Laser Displays, Inc. for a while in the late 70's. That's all I'm saying about that.
My first job in this biz was with Roctronics, Inc. in Cambridge, Ma. I made lighting control systems, fog and bubble machines and disco dance floors.