Photos from the Voyage In Arcadia 26/11/10

On the 26th November, we held the launch of Voyage In Arcadia at the Liverpool Art and Design Academy. From a canoe situated in the foyer of the Academy we were able to navigate our evolving second-life Arcadia to explore the lakes of our virtual Stanley Park.

Here are some photographs taken at the event.











Read more about our recent Voyages In Arcadia.

Test Launch of Voyages In Arcadia Canoe 15th November 2010

On 15th November 2010, the Voyages in Arcadia canoe was successfully tested at New Brighton Boating Lake.

The above photo shows Colin Dilnot, Project Manager holding the canoe after the test. Below is video of the test launch:

Further Tests On Voyages In Arcadia Canoe

Over the last few weeks, the project team have been preparing the Voyages in Arcadia canoe for the launch.

Here are some photos of the work on the canoe at Peter Appleton's workshop.

Voyages In Arcadia Canoe Test 3rd November 2010

We are using a replica cedar wood Canadian canoe for the Voyages in Arcadia:

This delightful model is a fully authentic respresentation of a traditional cedar wood-strip open water canoe. Hand-crafted from strips of red and yellow cedar wood sealed with a layer of fibreglass and epoxy resin, sanded to a super smooth finish it is made in the exactly same way as a full size canoe. This fantastic high quality model comes fitted with a yoke, two seats and a set of paddles.

The model is very similar to the real canoes used on Stanley Park lake in the early 20th Century:



The model dimensions: Length: 110 cm; Width: 17 cm and Height: 14 cm.

The canoe has been adapted with various equipment to power and control the canoe via the Internet.

These adaptations have taken place at Peter Appleton's workshop. The canoe was successfully tested in the workshop on 3rd November 2010.

Voyages in Arcadia @ Liverpool Art and Design Academy 26th November 2010

Voyages in Arcadia
26th November 2010
4.00pm to 7.00pm
Art and Design Academy
Liverpool John Moores University
Duckinfield Street
L3 5YD

Voyages in Arcadia is the second phase of the Shang-Pool Acadia Project. On the 26th November we will be holding a launch event at the Liverpool Art and Design Academy.

From a canoe situated in the foyer of the Academy you will be able to navigate our evolving second-life Arcadia exploring the lakes of our virtual Stanley Park. You can visit the park from any internet linked computer if you download and log in to Second-Life and follow this link:

Shang-Pool Arcadia In Second Life

Our collaborators from Shanghai University have been developing wi like control paddles. Here Fred and Mr Wang can be seen discussing with Andy , Dave and Henry of the LJMU School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences.

The Maths department developments were needed to translate the control data of the paddles into directional information for the virtual canoe. The co-operation of those paddling is essential as each paddle stroke on either side affects the motion and direction of the boat.



Below Wang Zheng and Jiang Fei with John Webster preparing to make stand for canoe in LJMU workshops

These paddles also control the experimental Arcadian drone canoe. This model canoe will sail on the actual lake in Stanley Park relaying live video images of its location back to the Academy allowing us to add another layer of reality to the voyage.

Here is the model canoe under construction at Peter Appleton's workshop

Voyages Planning Meeting 1/11/10

The team are currently working on the next part of the project called Voyages.

Last Monday, was the first time the two teams from the UK and China had come together. Below, the team are working on equipment and computer programmes for the launch of Voyages at the FACT in Liverpool on 15th November. We will be publishing more details on Voyages in the next few days.

Fred & Mr Wong Arrive From Shanghai!

Last week, Fred and Mr Wong from Shanghai University arrived in the UK from Shanghai to work on the next stage of the Shang-Pool Arcadia Project - Voyages in Arcadia

The photographs of Fred (Left below) and Mr Wong (Right below)show them in the Ye Cracke pub in Liverpool - the Shang-Pool Project's favourite drinking place!