Demo Hour

DEMO HOUR: Brighter Than a Thousand Suns

"Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" is an art project that explores imperceptible radiation. The protagonist of a short film walks across the devastated areas near the nuclear power stations in Fukushima. He wears a uniform that allows him to measure and display ambient radiation. His handheld device contains a Geiger counter kit. The readings from the device are transformed into illuminations through ornamentation on his helmet. His uniform is a reminder of traditional Samurai clothing, as well as contemporary workers' outfits. As the poetic short film progresses, information on radiation suggests symbolic meaning revealed over time.

http://www.susannahertrich.com/art/1000suns.shtml

Hertrich, S. and Honda, A. Brighter Than a Thousand Suns: A uniform to detect and display radiation. Proc. of TEI'17. ACM, New York, 2017, 659–663.

Susanna Hertrich, Institute of Experimental Design and Media Cultures, Academy of Art and Design FHNW

[email protected]

Akitoshi Honda, Ahonda.org

[email protected]

The ornament on the helmet lights up when radiation is encountered.

Scanning for radiation outside Fukushima.