Dream Vortex, Djerassi Draft One | Leonardo/ISASTwith Arizona State University

Dream Vortex, Djerassi Draft One

By Dawn Sumner
Meredith Tromble and I have been working on the Dream Vortex for a bit over three years - or I should say we started the project three years ago.  We’ve made some progress but approaching the vision for the project has been variously limited by too little time and limited software capabilities.
A network of plants in my yard to demonstrate to Meredith how the program Mycelia could be used to show dream networks A network of plants in my yard to demonstrate to Meredith how the program Mycelia could be used to show dream networks

Meredith's drawing incorporated into a network that can be manipulated and explored - but doesn't move well on its own. Meredith's drawings incorporated into a network that can be manipulated and explored - but doesn't move well on its own.

Jordan VanAalsburg worked with Meredith to create better visuals and dynamics using Vroom. Jordan VanAalsburg worked with Meredith to create better visuals and dynamics using Vroom.

A good programming platform and dedicated time have merged with our joint residency at Djerassi, and the results were immediate: We have a vortex of images from dreams that evokes the anticipation, reticence, confusion, and mystery of entering the dream world. Video: Dream Vortex Djerassi Draft 1 Our next step is to invite (and technically allow) an explorer to interact with those dreams, to experience the feelings and associations triggered by the network of vortex dreams.