This project really pushed all aspects of FriiSpray, both the hardware, software and the Jam Jar team as creative practitioners.  Hardware wise we had to develop new input devices such as infra-red pens, some with on/off switches and some that were always switched on.  This enabled students with limited physical ability to be able to paint.  Simon played the cello live to the students painting, this extra sensory addition added depth to the students expression enabling those who were more attune to audio stimulus to paint with this as a creative structure.

As well as using the Friispray software, we also used flash based programs, where a touch on the screen with a infra-red pen or spray can created flourishes of leaves, colours and sounds.  We have always discussed different ways of human computer interaction as part of the Jam Jar Collective, but to see the expression by the students in these workshops, brought a simplicity to the tangible nature of friispray and other infra-red devices as a way of interacting with a computer.

The software at this stage was still in early development, since doing paint and other special education projects with Friispray we have decided to develop a interface specifically for this aspect of expression.  Since doing the paint project we have partnered with Holly Bank Trust to develop all aspects of friispray and other ideas from Jam Jar for work in the area.

As creative practitioners we have all done workshops in the past with disabilities, but the paint project was one of the most challenging yet, each student had very different abilities both mentally and physically, Every student had to be treated differently, sometimes individually but sometimes the group collectively painted or engaged with the process.  We learned a lot from all the people we have worked with and from the students we taught.  One the many  rewarding moments we had was a girl drawing herself with long hair.  She had recently had her head shaved due to an operation and not expressed this to her carers since.  This was one example of where friispray was used as a vehicle for expression from student to the carers.

We are currently developing the paint project in collaboration with Interplay Theatre over 2010.

press clippings to come soon!

We have had the idea to implement the online collaboration for quite some time now and it is still on the list.   The real time aspect has great potential for two artists two work Internationally on the same piece.

People were really excited by FriiSpray and being able to have a go. I think there is a huge potential for interactive stuff at events like this. We had interest from people of all ages. Generally young kids would start things off and then gradually the adults would take over as the kids gradually went off to bed. We also had quite a few repeat customers who kept on coming back to draw more things.

You can see the artwork made and some photos of people enjoying the event on our Flickr page.

There’s also this video made by one of our happy punters:

Due to popular demand we have produced this short video to demonstrate how to setup your own FriiSpray setup. Enjoy!

Version 0.77 now lets you load a background image to spray over. This might be a photo of a wall, a previously saved FriiSpray image or anything you like really. To use this new feature simply press cntrl + o.

There are also some minor changes that should make the software a little bit more efficient, and a fix to a bug that meant it sometimes kept drawing when you didn’t want it to.

To get the latest version go to our software page.

We’ll be heading up to the UK’s first MAKEr Faire, held in Newcastle on the 14th + 15th of March. We’ll be demoing the hardware, experimenting with new IR tracking techniques and generally having a good make-y / hacking-y weekend. Looking forward to it!

http://flickr.com/photos/friispray/

Add your own photos of the install to the group!

We set up the FriiSpray equipment for the start of the event and encouraged people to try it out for themselves. There were still a number of IR interference issues in the space [we think it's due to the large amount of other projectors / interactive whiteboards / tech gear in the room] so we had to place the install in a corner which was a bit of a shame.

FriiSpray then presented the work to the audience in one of the scheduled ‘lightning presentations’. A very interesting presentation format - 20 slides of 15 seconds each, automatically timed. This keeps the presentations quick and snappy whilst allowing for a large number of speakers all in quick succession. A very efficient way of sharing information and finding out about what other people are up to.

Feedback on the install was positive with many impressed with the responsiveness of the drawing. We are in the process of making relevant Flickr content + groups.. will update later.

We met some great people at the event and would like to say a big thank you to the organisers - Craig Smith and Imran Ali. We are looking forward to following up the interest people showed and developing the project further.