From projection mapping to the bridge between apps and music [Wired 2013]

Kicking off the afternoon session at Wired 2013 were two very different technologists — one from an East London technology shop and the other an international recording artist. Evan Grant, owns Seeper — a studio of artists and technologists that work with a wide variety of clients including brands and museums. Grant is the man that makes the things at events people are wowed by be it a projection mapping project or the new system PGUI detection system he demonstrated at the conference. In essence, it’s an Iron Man user interface.

Auto-projection mapping is a new technique that Grant announced — never before seen in the world — the technology maps items instantly allowing people to then live project onto it. It’s impressive to see it used for fun reasons in person but when you think about the possibilities with other materials and products the future is going to be very interesting.

On the flip side, you have Björk, the polarising Icelandic singer and entertainer. In the introduction, she was referred to as “a bridge between music, apps and everything in between” and the talk with Jefferson Hack (a long time collaborator with Björk who worked on Biophilia with her) certainly confirms this description. Speaking knowledgeably about touch screens, 3D technology and app development associated with the Biophilia project (see below).

Björk discussed her process, her visits to MIT, playing with tesla coils and where she finds inspiration; a rich list from walking home when she was a young child to her music teachings (where she felt constrained by the educational system – a theme echoed by many of the speakers from both days). No one can say she doesn’t work hard for the money.