Enjambre
(SWARM)It is a real time animation project, an interactive art work based on analogies with the processes of transformation and excitement of living beings. Enjambre is an interactive work because it is modified by the user�s movements of the mouse. The idea of conceiving Enjambre was that of creating a work that could answer with excitement to the user�s movements, just like a swarm of insects would do. It is a work that can be disturbed, awaken, but that will slowly calm down if left alone. The work is formed by a set of visual pieces that dance according to the movements of the mouse imitating the behavior of some primitive animals: anemones, jellyfish, etc. The movements are programmed to simulate conditions of inertia, weight and viscosity. The movements of the pieces leave traces that form a collage or a texture which evolves generating different visual landscapes. The transformation is produced by a principle of excitement; the work measures the level of excitement that the user shows by his movements of the mouse and then sets itself at a higher or lower level of excitement. If the work is overexcited it will take organic and hot visual configurations; however, if it is under excited it will take geometric and cold visual configurations. The evolution from cold/geometric to hot/soft is accompanied by an increase in the speed of certain independent movements that express different levels of excitement.
It all depends on the user�s attitude
Enjambre tries to grasp each user�s attitude, which changes each time he is in front of the work. With his movements, the user "paints" the background according to the configuration the work has acquired. The work always tries to fit the user�s level of excitement: if the user is constant, the work will be balanced; but if his actions vary, the work will vary and transform itself as well. Enjambre measures the point of balance according to each user�s actions. Therefore, the point of balance is relative, not absolute. If it were absolute, Enjambre would only work with some users.
The map of the states
For this work, visual configurations with moving structures were created. These structures were classified in a two dimensional map which has two main axis: the first one goes from cold to hot and the second one goes from geometric to organic. The work, depending on whether it is overexcited or under excited, varies from one visual configuration to another, traveling over this map. The excitement is measured from the velocity of the mouse movements. The work also measures the direction of the movements determining whether they go in the direction of the hands of a clock or not.
If the level of excitement is too high and permanent, the work enters in an orgasm zone where it is transformed rhythmically and out of the user�s control until it reaches a climax. Then it becomes cold and passive again.
The work is in the mutation, not in the state
One of the main purposes of this work is to make the user enjoy the movement and transformation. It tries to reproduce the fascination children have for the simple movement of natural things (sand, water, animals, etc.) and to tempt the user to play with this movement. The different configurations created are just an excuse for enjoying the gradual transformations and the visual landscapes left in the background by the trace of the movement.