The Physical Memory Reader

(Device constructed from parts of a single laser printer)

The function of 'The physical memory reader' is to record texture through the medium of sound, and on a trivial level produce a visual output.  

As the print head moves, four fingers connected to it are dragged across the surface. A microphone then picks up the subsequent vibrations, (Playing it through the mounted speakers) directing the digital sequence to a laptop. The texture is then recorded on appropriate software, giving a visual representation in the form of a cardiograph styled chart.

The Memory Boot device

A conceptual representation of how memories are triggered within the human mind, represented as a collaborated device which triggers outputs that work with the human senses to trigger specific memories. 

The Output triggered can be an aromatic trigger, light sensitive trigger, audio trigger or tactile trigger. The intricate collaboration of the device determines this output , demonstrating the intricacies associated with the triggering of memories. Even the slightest change can determine a memory trigger going one way or the other, triggering memory A or memory B.

Digital Photography Assignment 1: 'City Light At Night'

(Electric Flow To Go)

(Fire Fly)

(Spaghetti Junction)

An investigation into the hidden beauties of Radford's night light. 

Video stills

These stills are taken from the video component of our current project.

Memory Boot Devices

( Found items photographed before being arranged and finished using photoshop )

The concept behind my memory boot devices are quite simple; they unlock or trigger a single memory from the brain through an output, whether this is an output of sound, aroma, touch etc. The idea is that the user should construct a memory boot device for each memory he or she doesn't wish to forget, making them accessible for years to come at the touch of a button, turn of a key or opening of a tap etc (You get the picture!)

After the device is triggered, the output then works with the human memory store (brain) to trigger or boot a memory. The construct of the devices themselves are metaphorical of how I see the brain/ triggering of memories occurring in a  physical sense; the idea of a series of events that lead to a moment of clarity and triggering of a memory, represented through physical parts working in harmony until a certain alignment or combination is achieved, activating the output device/ devices and therefore triggering a memory.

Super 8 Video Camera, Chinon 44

I FOUND A SUPER 8 VIDEO CAMERA WITH COLOUR CARTRIDGE IN FULLY WORKING CONDITION, WITH CASE...........

FOR  £3.50!!!!!

Crazy! All I had to do was add 4 AA batteries and it worked a charm! The current project we are doing includes a 6 minute video, meaning we were able to have a play with it last night ... AND IT WORKED! Hopefully the age of the cartridge and the condition of the lense will add to the aesthetic of the film, and fit in well with our material we filmed today. I'll be sure to post the link to youtube once it's finished.

Problems may arise in developing the film to a digital format as Kodak put the film out of production in 2009, however we are still hopeful. 

Kodak Instamatic 400

I picked this gem up in a charity shop in Nottingham! It only set me back a couple of pounds, it seems to work fine, I just need some 126mm film and a place to develop it! I foresee some sort of project emerging from this steadily building camera collection i seem to be hoarding... ??? Hmmm. We'll see, for now I'm just happy for it to sit on my shelf  and look at it!

A bit of background: 

"The Kodak Instamatic 400 was an early model of Kodak's Instamatic camera series for Kodak's easy-to-use cartridge 126 film. It was made from 1963 to 1966 in Rochester. It has a film advance system with spring motor, a built-in pop-up flashbulb holder, and a built-in electric eye for automatic exposure control. The essential parts are the f8 41mm 3-element lens and the two speed shutter with speeds of 1/40 and 1/60 sec."

(www.camerapedia.com)

Kodak

I think these images are more or less ironic... maybe? Photographs of cameras? maybe? Anyway, I quite liked these images which are nothing special I know, (Just faffing about on photoshop to be honest) but the series of 4 have a real 1970's America feel to them I think! Quite crisp, almost over exposed ... 'esk. You get me?!?

Kingston Double Lens Reflex (Box Set Camera)

I found this camera along with the one above in a charity shop just outside Nottingham Town Centre. 

Although I know very little about 'Double lens Cameras', It only cost £2, although from what i can tell, the viewing lens is damaged. However, I think with a little imagination and some photosensitive paper (thats right, it takes photos onto a spool of photographic paper I think?), and a dark room, and a bunch of chemicals I have no idea  how to use, I'll be churning out photographs on this bad boy in no time!

Joking aside, it's a very beautiful camera in my opinion, expertly crafted in Hong Kong (!) but still very charming! 

A bit of background on:

"Double-lens cameras were around from about 1870, when someone realised that having a second viewing lens alongside the taking lens meant that one could focus without having to keep swapping a ground glass screen for the plate afterwards, reducing the time delay in actually taking the shot."

(wikibooks.org)

Interesting ay!

3 Year Memory Mapping

(Photoshop preparation for premier pro animation)

A series of images representing the creation and destruction of space through memories forming and being forgotten.

This series will be added to a selection of 5 others, forming a collective of different memories and existence's of Nottingham from 5 different perspectives.

This will draw the line under a very interesting experimentation with these images, and it's subsequent animations will feed into our group video.