We decided to develop our emerging perspective by designing furniture that would make use of load-sensing technologies being explored by Lancaster University; our perspective was also influenced by ethnographic studies at Nottingham University that highlighted the use of surfaces for coordination of the home. The History Tablecloth is designed to cover a kitchen or dining room table. When objects are left on the table, the cloth starts to glow beneath them, creating a halo that expands very slowly. When items are removed, the glow fades quickly. By signaling how long things have been left upon it, the Tablecloth highlights the flow of objects over surfaces in the home. Being able to see this hidden dimension of the home might be enjoyable or thought-provoking. The Tablecloth doesn't dictate peoples' reactions, however, but instead, provides a scenario for them to interpret.
The transparent flexible vinyl tablecloth measures 180 x 80 cm. It contains an encapsulated matrix of 7 x 18 electroluminescent lamps, each approximately 11cm in diameter, printed in a regularly repeating hexagonal floral design. Weight sensing cups are placed underneath the table legs. A central processor detects changes in table surface weight and translates this into a history of objects. The tablecloth plays out this history as a 'domestic' glowing pattern of graded light beneath the objects. The Drift Table allows people to float slowly over the British landscape from the comfort of their own home. The weight of objects placed on the table controls the slow scroll of aerial photographs displayed on a central view-port. Adding weight causes the table to speed up and 'descend' towards the landscape below. Progress is slow - travelling from London to Devon may take days. People may use the table to explore the country, to travel to see a friends house, to revisit locations, to explore questions about geography, or to simply watch the world go by.
The Drift Table has a circular porthole to a screen that shows aerial photography that 'drifts' according to the distribution of weight on the table. The current 'location' of the table is shown on a small screen on its side, and an electronic compass aligns the photography with 'true' north. Almost a terabyte of aerial photography of England and Wales, donated by GetMapping.com, is available for viewing. The Key Table gets a sense of people's emotions from the way they dump their stuff onto it. Much as slamming doors are a crude measure of mental state, so the table uses the transient onsets of a new weight to gauge mood. Reactions to emotional entrances are triggered as mechanised frames swing pictures off centre to warn other inhabitants to tread carefully.
The Key Table is about one meter high with a flat surface for emptying content of pockets onto (such as keys, wallet). The energy of dropped objects is assessed by the transient response of built-in load sensors. This measurement is wirelessly transmitted to a companion picture frame that tilts accordingly. Volunteers from the original Domestic Probes study have lived with the prototypes for between 2-6 weeks. Ethnographers have observed their use and talked with them about their experiences. A film documentary and feature article are also being prepared to provide new perspectives on the pieces. We are currently deploying the prototypes to a selection of the homes of our original Probe volunteers |
