Light me Up — tamannajain

TAMANNA JAIN

Light Me Up

an Interactive LED Art Canvas that merges digital artistry with tangible interaction on an LED matrix using a Wacom tablet.
It dissolves barriers between the artist, canvas, and audience, enabling direct, luminous creativity.

Are you an artist who has always yearned for a pristine canvas, ready to be illuminated with your creativity?
Look no further.

Concept

The canvas utilizes a series of LED matrix wired and connected together, which serves as the display surface for the artwork. Artists interact with this matrix using a Wacom tablet, a high-precision input device commonly used by digital artists. This integration allows for seamless translation of the artist's gestures into visual elements on the canvas. Each gesture made on the Wacom tablet triggers a corresponding visual response on the LED matrix. This real-time feedback enhances the creative process and encourages experimentation. With the touch of a button on the Wacom tablet, the canvas refreshes, ready to embrace the visions of new creators. This intuitive feature ensures that every user has the opportunity to leave their mark, to explore, and to innovate. It's a testament to the inclusive nature of 'Light Me Up,' inviting all to partake in the journey of creation and discovery.

Intricately crafted from plywood, the canvas enclosure provides a sturdy foundation, ensuring precise positioning for the LED matrix. But the ingenuity doesn't stop there. Enter the art of kerf bending—utilized in the laser-cut cardboard pieces—to delicately cradle and support the four sets of LED matrices, seamlessly merging form with function.

Powering this visionary installation is a sophisticated switching power supply, orchestrating the flow of energy to illuminate the canvas with brilliance. And behind the scenes, an Arduino microcontroller takes center stage, its programming prowess breathing life into the artwork. Through webserial communication with p5.js, a dynamic connection is forged, enabling a symphony of digital creativity to unfold in real-time.

From the meticulous craftsmanship to the intricate coding, every element of the fabrication process has been thoughtfully orchestrated, culminating in an immersive experience that blurs the boundaries between art and technology.

In the grand vision for this small installation lies the seed of a monumental endeavor. Picture it: a vast LED screen, stretching across the expanse of a room, poised to become a canvas for boundless creativity. Envision users, armed only with their smartphones, stepping into the role of maestros, wielding light and color with every touch. Their screens transform into brushes on a canvas of unprecedented scale, each stroke captured and magnified, mapping seamlessly onto the grand LED screen. As this ambitious project unfolds, a magnificent collage emerges—a tapestry of individual expressions interwoven into a breathtaking masterpiece. From the minutest detail to the boldest stroke, each contribution adds to the collective brilliance of the artwork.

Yet, 'Light Me Up' transcends mere installation—it's a testament to collaboration and connection. Artists from every corner of the globe converge in a shared space, their creativity liberated from borders and constraints. Together, they embark on an odyssey through the infinite realms of light and imagination, forging a new frontier in artistic expression.