2. Digital Body

References & Inspiration

Trio A - Yvonne Rainer

Judith Butler, Erin Manning, and Yvonne Rainer each explore the performativity of the body and movement from distinct yet interconnected perspectives. Butler's concept of performativity emphasizes how identities, particularly gender, are constructed through repetitive acts shaped by cultural and social norms. This understanding frames the body as a political space where performances can both reinforce and subvert societal expectations.

Building on this notion of the body as an active participant in meaning-making, Erin Manning delves into the relational nature of movement. She argues that movement not only occurs within space but also creates space through interactions between bodies, objects, and the environment. For Manning, the body is a site of transition and connection, where gestures and sensory experiences foster relationships and generate new possibilities for expression.

Yvonne Rainer complements these ideas through her postmodern dance practice, which challenges traditional notions of theatricality and spectacle. By prioritizing everyday movements and "neutral" gestures, Rainer demonstrates how the body can communicate complex ideas without relying on conventional dramatism. Her work redefines the role of the body in artistic performance, aligning with Butler's and Manning’s shared interest in the body as a dynamic and transformative site.

Together, these authors highlight the performative potential of the body as a medium for creating, questioning, and redefining cultural and social frameworks through movement and interaction.

Research & Ideation

For this task, I wanted to think of the body as a structure that supports the movement of bodies and generates various spaces of interaction with the environment. Through gestures, postures, and senses, bodies in motion act as points of interaction, where the kinetic not only describes physical displacement but also the flows of energy, knowledge, and affect that emerge in these interactions. Manning emphasizes how these movements and sensory experiences allow for a reconfiguration of the senses of space and identity, involving a constant adaptation and transformation of the body in motion.

Process and workflow

Step 1: Download and Install MakeHuman

• Download MakeHuman: Go to MakeHuman's official website and download the software for your operating system.
• Install MakeHuman: Follow the installation instructions specific to your operating system.

Step 2: Create Your 3D Model in MakeHuman

• Open MakeHuman: Launch the program and start a new project.
• Select a Base Model: Choose from the various preset human body types or start from scratch.
• Adjust the Model: Use the sliders to modify the body shape, proportions, and other features to create your desired 3D model. You can adjust facial features, clothing, and textures at this stage.
• Save the Model: Once you're satisfied with the model, save it in .obj or .fbx format for use in other software.

Step 3: Prepare and Adjust Your Model Using Rhino

• Open Rhino: Launch Rhino and open the 3D model you saved from MakeHuman.
• Adjust the Model:
• Use the scaling, rotation, and positioning tools to fit the model to the dimensions required for your project.
• If necessary, simplify or modify the geometry to prepare it for the cutting process. You can also smooth or merge parts for more accurate results.
• Check for Issues: Ensure that the model is clean and ready for slicing. If the model contains errors like overlapping geometry or excessive polygons, use Rhino’s tools to fix these.
• Save Your Model: Once the adjustments are complete, save the model in a compatible format for slicing, such as .stl.

Step 4: Use Slicer to Convert the 3D Model to 2D

• Download and Install Slicer: If you don't already have Slicer, download it from Slicer for Fusion 360 or another slicing software.

• Open Slicer: Launch the program and import your .stl file.
• Set Up the Slicing Parameters:
• Choose the material and thickness for your laser cutter.
• Define the cutting path, layer height, and other relevant settings to ensure the model fits the material's requirements.
• Generate 2D Patterns: Use Slicer’s tools to create the 2D cuts. The software will slice the 3D model into flat layers that can be cut by the laser cutter.

• Export the 2D Files: Once the slices are prepared, export the 2D files as SVG or DXF files, which are commonly used for laser cutting.

Step 5: Prepare the Laser Cutter

• Upload the 2D Files: Transfer the SVG or DXF files to the software used to control the laser cutter.
• Set Up the Laser Cutter: Load the material you will use (e.g., wood, acrylic, etc.), and adjust the settings (power, speed) according to the material’s specifications.
• Test Cut: Before starting the full cut, perform a test cut on a scrap piece of the material to ensure everything works as expected.

Step 6: Start the Laser Cutting Process

• Once your test cut is successful, you can proceed to cut the entire model. Make sure to supervise the process to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Tutorial: How to Use a Vernier Tool to Measure Spaces in Wood While Cutting

The Vernier tool (also known as Vernier caliper or micrometer) is a precise measuring tool used for measuring dimensions with high accuracy. Below is a guide on how to use a Vernier caliper to measure spaces in wood while cutting, which can be helpful to ensure that your cuts are precise and meet your specifications.

Necessary Materials

• Vernier Caliper (preferably made of stainless steel for durability and accuracy)
• Wood to cut (it can be any type of wood depending on your project)
• Saw (manual, table, or any type of saw you are using)
• Measuring Tape (optional, for taking initial measurements)
• Ruler (optional, for guiding the cuts)

Step 1: Get Familiar with the Vernier Tool

Before starting to measure, it's important to understand how to read a Vernier caliper. The Vernier tool has two scales:

• Main Scale: The primary line that shows the larger measurement units (usually in millimeters or inches).
• Vernier Scale: The smaller scale that slides over the main scale. This allows you to measure fractional units of the main scale, increasing precision.
• Ensure that the caliper reads zero (with no gap between the jaws) before using it for accurate measurements.

Step 2: Measure the Thickness of the Wood

• Open the jaws of the Vernier caliper: Place the caliper jaws around the edge of the piece of wood you want to measure.
• Adjust the jaws: Close the caliper jaws until they snugly fit the edge of the wood you’re measuring.
• Read the measurement:
• Main Scale: Look at the value on the main scale where the zero of the Vernier scale aligns with the main scale. This will give you the larger measurement (e.g., 10 mm).
• Vernier Scale: Check which line on the Vernier scale aligns with one of the lines on the main scale. This value gives you the fractional part (e.g., 0.2 mm).
• Add the two values together to get the total measurement. Example: 10 mm + 0.2 mm = 10.2 mm.

Step 3: Measure the Cutting Space

• When cutting, you may need to measure the space between two specific points on the wood to ensure your cuts are accurate and aligned.
• Measure the space between the cutting points:
• Place the Vernier caliper between the two points you want to measure.
• Ensure that the jaws are properly aligned with the reference points.
• Read the measurement in the same way you did for the thickness of the wood.
• Verify the cutting spaces:
• If you’re making multiple cuts and need to maintain the same distance, measure each one with the Vernier caliper. You can use the Vernier tool to ensure the dimensions remain consistent as you continue cutting.

Step 4: Check the Cutting Depth

• If you need to verify the depth of a cut, many Vernier calipers come with a depth measuring extension.
• Measure the cutting depth:
• Extend the depth measuring part of the Vernier caliper and place it in the hole or cut you’ve made.
• Adjust it until the flat part touches the bottom of the cut.
• Read the measurement: As in previous steps, read first the main scale, then the Vernier scale to get the exact depth measurement.

Step 5: Ensure Cuts are Accurate

• Repeat measurements throughout the cutting process to ensure that the thickness, depth, and distances between cuts remain consistent. Using the Vernier caliper will help you achieve more precise cuts and ensure that your pieces fit as required.

Final Tips

• Calibration: Always check that the Vernier caliper is properly calibrated before taking measurements, especially if you’ve made multiple cuts.
• Careful Handling: Treat the tool carefully to avoid damage, as a damaged Vernier caliper can affect the accuracy of measurements.
• Precision in Cutting: While the Vernier caliper is an accurate measuring tool, remember that the saw and other cutting tools also play a role in the precision of the work.

Tools

- [MakeHuman](http:// www.makehumancommunity.org/)
- [Slider](http://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/tsarticles/ts/3yg7zznS94MHNDG7KMV8Qg.html)
- [Rhino](https://www.rhino3d.com/)