Innovative artists in the creative fields.

• Award-Winning Innovation November 4, 2024

  

  In 1949, a group of students decided to build their own float and participate in Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses® Parade.

  Ever since, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float have been coming up with new ways to wow parade goers–and winning awards for their work.

  As one of only six independent noncommercial floatbuilders, called “self-builts”, in the parade, Cal Poly Universities’ entry is unique for several reasons.

  First of all, they’re the only student-built float in the Rose Parade®,

  Secondly, the float, built from the frame up, is constructed by two student groups. At the start of the building process, these groups are working from campuses more than two hundred miles apart!

  Two teams become one

  

  Annually, the students at Cal Poly Pomona build the front half of their float’s chassis, while the students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo build the back half.

  Then, in October, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students bring their half down to the Pomona campus. The two halves are joined–and from then on, the groups work as one, crafting their Rose Parade® entry.

  So far, the Cal Poly Universities students’ entries have won more than 60 awards–which brings up the third reason their float is unique.

  As students, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float participants have room to “play” and experiment with new methods and technologies.

  And frequently, the results are Rose Parade® “firsts”.

  Brooke Handschin is President of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float in Pomona, while Collin Marfia is President of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float, San Luis Obispo.

  Brooke and Collin talked about their experiences with Cal Poly Universities Rose Float, what it’s like to create and drive their innovative entries and, of course, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float’s 2025 entry, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”, which will be their 76th Rose Parade® float.

  On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

  • How Brooke and Collin first became involved with Cal Poly Universities Rose Float;

  • How each of them developed their specific creative talents and gifts as a result of working on the floats;

  • Some of the ways they did troubleshooting in the past, as co-hydraulics leads;

  • One particular issue they found “frustrating but fun”, as their team navigated a construction challenge;

  • What it’s like to operate a Rose Parade® float on New Year’s Day;

  • The story of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float’s 2025 design, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”;

  • How the teams from the two universities collaborate;

  • One major logistics problem they’ve been working on solving, for “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”;

  • Some of the considerations involved in decorating the float;

  • A look at some of the past innovations which the Cal Poly Universities entries have introduced to the Rose Parade® (and a hint at what we may see on their float in the 136th Rose Parade® on New Year’s Day, 2025!);

  • What Brooke, a mechanical-engineering major, will enjoy most about the decorating process;

  • What’s planned for the animation;

  • Where to see the team’s progress on their social media;

  • The next milestones to be completed;

  • How to support the students as they create Cal Poly Universities’ Rose Float’s 76th float, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”.

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• “The Magic Is in Us” August 26, 2024

  

  “We have an opportunity, every single day, to make a better world,” says futurist, fine artist and award-winning XR community leader Paige Dansinger.

  “These are just tools in our hands. The magic is in us.”

  The tools to which she’s referring are the digital technologies, including virtual and augmented reality, which she uses to empower others.

  Paige, who has, so far, crafted more than 300 immersive worlds, has received multiple honors for her work in the metaverse. Recognized by Meta as one of the Top 115 Global Community Leaders, she is the founder of Horizon Art Museum, and of Women in Horizon, in Meta Horizon.

  She’s also the creator and Founding Director of Better World Museum, which is accessible in different versions on three virtual platforms: Meta Horizon, Roblox and Rec Room.

  But don’t expect to visit these museums and simply look at exhibits.

  Empowerment through interaction

  Paige’s particular blend of magic is all about interactivity.

  Participants in her worlds are encouraged to grow, and to explore their own creativity, by painting, building and adding their voices to items in the metaverse.

  And they also get to plant flowers.

  One of Paige’s recent creations is the VR Garden game, which she designed in partnership with the Virtual World Society.

  Ultimately, she says, her virtual work is about humanity–and about using XR to grow together.

  Paige talked about her background, shared the story of creating the Better World Museum and the ways she uses virtual art to empower others, and offered a look at some of her favorite creative resources.

  On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

  • The start of Paige’s journey as an artist;

  • Her first experience with creative technologies;

  • The story of the Better World Museum (and her first VR project!);

  • One of her favorite experiences, touring internationally and empowering others through creativity and virtual reality;

  • Her creative process, when designing her empowering XR experiences;

  • A closer look at the upcoming Women in Horizon classes;

  • Paige’s work in partnership with the Virtual World Society;

  • Some of the features visitors can explore, in Better World Museum;

  • A look inside Horizon Art Museum;

  • Where to get started, if you’d like to learn more about creating in XR;

  • The new technologies Paige would like to explore next;

  • Some of the world building resources she recommends.

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• Humor, Joy–and Tech July 29, 2024

  

  “I find that, often, art is a little bit dry,” says artist, inventor and educator Niklas Roy.

  BUT–no one could ever describe his work that way.

  With the goal of making art accessible to people from all walks of life, Niklas creates fine art from technology. That translates to highly interactive installations, which often put guests into participatory experiences.

  LED lights flash. Electronic music plays. Machines blow bubbles, take visitors on rides in fantastic vehicles, and challenge them to games.

  Often, the guests get to use their own creativity: drawing in colored lights with a joystick, pulling strings to move paintbrushes across a canvas or adding their contributions to a whiteboard.

  A sense of fun pervades his work, which he’s exhibited worldwide. in numerous art exhibitions as well as science centers and public squares.

  Niklas continues to break down the barriers to making art bot accessible and enjoyable by teaching reflective technology workshops and making his designs open-source. On his website, he shares his project plans, schematics and code with fellow creators. In addtion, he offers videos and tutorials on his YouTube channel.

  Niklas talked about his creative journey at the intersection of art, science and technology, shared the stories behind some of his recent works and offered his perspectives on working as an an artist.

  On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

  • Where Niklas’ interest in machines, inventing and art originated;

  • His favorite recollections of his growing-up experiences in a highly creative household;

  • Some of the influences on his creative journey;

  • His first interactive display;

  • A closer look at the creative process;

  • Why Niklas takes an open-source approach with his creations;

  • The story of his “Mosaic Machine” installation, an arcade machine that allowed participants to create drawings that ultimately became a mosaic in a Berlin public square;

  • A look behind the scenes at his 2023 “Under Construction” interactive project;

  • Niklas’ upcoming projects for Summer and Autumn 2024;

  • Niklas’ advice to artists who may want to make art their career.

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