Firestarter

Firestarter is a public access interactive biofeedback ignition device for competitive mediatation.

Steps:

Firestarter (writen by Stephen King, starting the young Drew Barrymore) is screened. Later (5 minutes, 2 hours, 1 week) viewers are invited to strap themselves into the biofeedback device

Device reads pulse, blood pressure, galvanetic skin response. By various techniques - mediatation, visualization, hyperventilating, participating viewers can control data coming out of device. Biodata from device is sent to visual display so users and audience can see what's going on.

Biodata controls movement of a spark device located across the room. By lowering energy level, users can lower spark device to ignition area. Once spark device is lowered into place, users can start fire by raising energy level.

First person to start fire wins

technologies:

biofeedback device - gets data from humans
macromedia director -parse data, format for visual display, output to microcontroller
microcontroller - controls servo which raises and lowers spark device

Current state of development:

biofeedback device and macromedia director communicating nicely
planning..

When/Where:

prototype demo: Houston March 3rd
finished version: CIM show May
public installation: Machine Project early Fall 2006

Why:

fantasy fufillment of pychic powers
present biofeedback in a tangible, easy to understand, reactive manner
nostalgia?
explore possibilities of public as performer