vibraphone or marimba , in that a user strikes a key over an air volume rather than directly striking a tuned bell . This decision gave us new flexibility in the shape and material of the pipes . It also helped to overcome concerns about sourcing or fabricating metal pipes of around twenty feet in length . Since Tidraphone was to be installed on a highly-trafficked , accessible public way , we designed the instrument to be as damage-proof as possible , and to be used by a wide range of users of all ages and abilities , including people in wheelchairs and children . Emily Goldsmith , our mechanical engineer , brought expertise from her work with the Institute for Human Centered Design . Dana Busch , Katarzyna Balug , and Emily all work in media that involves user experience and interactivity , which proved invaluable in prototyping the experience design of the instrument as well as the surrounding environment .
Over the course of the project , the team studied the nature of tidal variation in Fort Point Channel . We referenced tide charts , reviewed construction drawings of piers around the channel , and created a sample of distance-to-water measurements at given points around the channel .
Navigating
The landscape of community partners and grant holders played an influential role in charting the course , direction , and timeline of this project . Due to technical requirements of the grant funders , our team held almost-weekly meetings with the city to work through compliance issues with respect to the siting of the instrument , procuring appropriate insurance and permits , finding bonded contractors to install the piece , and pursuing funding sources to make meeting all requirements possible . Working as a group of artists on a public art piece necessitated not only meeting specific insurance requirements , but also the formation of a legal entity to sign contracts , receive grant funds , and to protect ourselves and partners from the ramifications of working in public space . These elements of the process were as time-consuming , in some cases , as the design development itself .
As installation neared , the project also had to undergo special review with a mutitude of entities : Department of Public Works , Boston Redevelopment Authority , U . S . Coast Guard , U . S . Coast Guard Bridge Branch , The Public Improvement Commission , The Boston Art Commission , The Mayor ’ s Commission for Persons with Disabilities , Board of the Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Grant , and Fort Point Arts Community .
In a typical week , the team spent from one to three hours in coordination meetings , each of which could require two to ten hours of team production for audience-specific presentation materials related to the artpiece .
Led by Conor MacDonald , the team also initiated and developed a wealth of community partnerships .
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