Artificial Audiovisual Environment for Developing Creative Abilities of Children

Fig. 2.JunkoSuzuki, incidencecoincidence * GENOME-GENDERX X m ,stainless steel and glass,two cases 28 x 32 cm, 1992.JunkoSuzukiwrites of her work: “The last pair in the 46 chromosomes, XXXY, gives thejudgement of sex and can be interpretedto be a form of alphabet.X and Y mean the first and second unknown. This aspect remindsone of the chromosomes’ability in changing.” Zon Channel by T.J. O’Donnell revels in the symmetry of molecular assemblages , a constant pleasure for those working in molecular visualization. Whether we are aware of it or not, we each incorporate the results of molecular exploration into our daily lives. We take vitamins in the form of purified molecules. We shun cholesterol and nicotine, and choose between ibuprofen and aspirin. Engineered fruits and vegetables are now available at the supermarket . PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysisof blood DNA samples is routinely used as evidence in criminal trials, and gene-based therapy for hereditary diseases is no longer a dream. Only through visual interpretation of these invisible molecular players can we each comprehend and assimilate-and ultimately accept or reject-the explosion of new information and ideas in molecular science. In the past, artists have described discoveries about the light in the south of France; they have discovered and rejected perspective; they have described the emotions of the human soul and the shiftingworld of dreams. Today, a handful of artistssome of whom also call themselves scientists -strive to extract the inner working of the molecular world and its relationship with our bodies and lives. Manuscript received 10 August 1994. ~~ ~ ~ ArtificialAudiovisual Environment for Developing Creative Abilities of Children AndreyE. Shurnilov An educational method currently under development consists of placing a child within an audiovisual play environment that responds sensitivelyto his or her creative impulses. I developed three such experimental complexes that were used to demonstrate children’screativity at the “YoungTalents” exhibition held in Kazan inJanuary 1995. I designed the first system for use in games and entertainment. The goal of the system is to increase children’sinterest in creative work. The system consistsof a personal computer with a specially developed foot keyboard with microphones, speakers and slide projectors attached to it. The foot keyboard’s Andrcy E. Shumilov, Computer Educational Aids Department , Tdkpo. Inc.. K.Zorgc Str., 12-1Y. Karan. 420087. Rmsia. overall dimensions are 100x 100x 1 cm; it consists of 16 25-cm rectilinear hexagon keypads arranged in a 4 x 4 matrix. The system was designed to be used in theaters, circuses, discotheques, school recreation halls, playgrounds, etc. When a child steps on one of the keypads (Fig. 3), the computer program plays a musical tone, noise or phrase that was previously recorded on the computer’shard disk. The system has a number of functions. For example, if two slide projectors are placed behind a screen, two pictures can be projected on it simultaneously. The pictures will change automatically every few minutes. One projector will project a picture at full brightness,while the second projector’s brightness depends on which keypad is stepped on. Children jump on the keypad, producing different sounds while “making”pictures to sound. A slide projector may show a picture of a rainy street while the sound of rain is heard. Jumping on certain keypads , one can control the display,synthesizing a “storm”from separate audio and visual fragments: lightning flashes (the second projector quickly flashes a picture) when one steps on the keypads in time as the sounds of thunder and the wind are heard. One can play with the sounds and images of a volcano as well. While “walkingin a forest,” one can rustle leaves and control the calls of a cuckoo and a woodpecker, while other birds sing in the background. The second version of this audiovisual environment is intended for use in kindergartens and elementary schools. Its foot keyboard is constructed of 80 squares (in an 8 x 10 matrix), which al154 Art/Science Forum Fig. 3. When a child steps on one of the keypads, the computer program plays a musical tone, noise or phrase that w a s previouslyrecorded on the computer’s hard disk. lows the pictures arranged on the keypads to change easily...