After much brainstorming, planning and late nights, Fred Cahill, Devon Elliot and Titus Ferguson installed UnLondon’s first piece of public art in Downtown London: a 200 string Lumarca.

The Lumarca is a volumetric display, or a 3-dimensional representation of an object. There are 200 vertical strings, hung from another 200 horizontal strings and supported by a strong metal frame (electrical conduit). The project is positioned so that its projection fits perfectly on the shape of the strings. A true “hack”, this project only requires a computer, projector and common hardware store supplies.

Each string could be lit up individually, and the colour, length and pattern can be changed on a string-by-string basis. By alternating which strings are “on” and their attributes, an impressive pattern can be displayed.

The UnLondon Lumarca used the programming environment processing (Java based) to create the images that are projected. As an open-source technology, there is plenty of potential for iteration and improvement.

Pictures and video are only able to capture so much. If you were able to head downtown to see it in person you’ll know what I’m referring to. We were able to “flat pack” the Lumarca, and store it at the UnLab so it will likely many more appearances at UnLondon related events in the months and years ahead.

Learn more about the lumarca project and its origins: http://www.lumarca.info/gallery.html

We will be posting a series of “how-tos” and lessons learned on the UnLab site in the coming days.

Since 2009 PodCamp London has provided a forum for new and social media enthusiasts from in and around London, Ontario to come together to share, discuss, network and learn.

Over the past four years hundreds of bloggers, podcasters, social networkers, marketers and communication professionals from across Southwestern Ontario have converged on the Forest City to attend London’s first and annual unconference.

Through the generous support of many sponsors, community partners, organizations and volunteers, PodCamp London has been able to grow year to year into one of the most anticipated annual events in the region.

While PodCamp London is primarily an event driven by the attendees; attendees who in turn show up, present sessions and interact with one another, it has come to require a significant investment of time and energy from the organizing team. Over the years the demand and investment required from the volunteer organizing team has grown in order to provide the optimum forum, venue and resources for attendees to make use of. What unfortunately hasn’t grown is the amount of time & energy the organizing team has to devote to the event.

The PodCamp London organizing team has determined that this past year’s event (PodCamp London 2012) will be their final year organizing the event. New commitments and responsibilities (both personal and professional) have taken the time, attention and energy of the organizing team away from PodCamp London and they can no longer invest the required time needed into planning future PodCamp London events.

When PodCamp London was founded back in 2009 there wasn’t anything else in the way of an unconference in the city and there wasn’t a ton of opportunity to actively engage in the new media space. Since that time much has changed. There are now multiple groups meeting monthly to discuss and interact with one another in various new media spaces. Annual events take place in the Forest City year-round that focus on specific new media topics such as voice acting, gaming and others niche areas. London also now has a hacker space (the UnLab) that hosts regular open nights, has a recording studio available to its members and contains the resources to build, create or make almost anything a mind can imagine. So while in 2009 there was an ‘unfed appetite’ which PodCamp London was created to feed, today this certainly isn’t the case.

With that said, PodCamp London is not dead (or perhaps it is). The framework and foundation for PodCamp London is already set, the resources are openly available (just ask for them) and support exists from UnLondon and other community organizations to anyone who might want to carry on PodCamp London or deliver an event of a completely different nature. For anyone interested in carrying on PodCamp London or developing something new please contact info (at) unlondon (dot) ca.

Thanks to the dedication of many people and organizations over the past four years PodCamp has provided an opportunity for new and social media enthusiasts from in and around London, Ontario to come together to share, discuss, network and learn. While 2012 marks the end of an ‘era’ for PodCamp London is also offers up the opportunity and potential for new events, forums and communities to develop in and around the Forest City.

Sincerely,

The PodCamp London organizing team.

Are you typically bored on Friday nights? Looking to make some new friends but are tired of getting hit on by middle aged men, wearing sequin shorts, at Jim Bob Ray’s?

If any of the above describes you then we have something you might like.

Beers ‘n’ Boards

On Friday June 1st, 2012 we’re opening the doors of the UnLab to the public to have a pre-PodCamp social. Brought to you by UnLondon and some amazing sponsors, this low-key social event is a chance to hang out with some great people, drink some ‘beverages’ and play some board games.

The details are as follows:

Who: You What: Beers ‘n’ Boards Open House Where: The UnLab (downstairs) at the Convergence Centre, UWO Research Park When: Friday June 1st, 2012 6:30pm-10:30pm Why: To meet other peeps & play some board games How: It’s an open house, just show up. The doors will be unlocked, just follow the signs when you arrive. Bring: Bring yourself, a board game, some munchies and refreshments if you like and relax at this kick-off event. Refreshments will be served and good conversations will be had.

When registering please let us know what board game you plan on bringing (so that everyone doesnt show up with Monopoly, because a board game night with only Monopoly might kinda suck).

There is limited space in the UnLab. Please only register for this event if you can attend.

Apparently if you’re a geek or a hardcore nerd the number 1337 is pretty special, but if you’re like me you’ll probably need to google it. Regardless, now calls can be made to UnLondon (and voicemail can be left) but more importantly now calls can be made out. No more wondering if your husband, wife or good friend has been lost in the abyss known as the UnLab.

To reach UnLondon pick up the phone, turn the dial to hit the following digits: 519 438 9064 x 1337

PodCamps are an open community for new and social media enthusiasts and professionals including bloggers, podcasters, social networkers, and anyone curious about new media to share and learn.

PodCamp isn’t just about podcasting! If you’re interested in blogging, social media, social networking, podcasting, video on the net, if you’re a podsafe musician (or want to be), or just someone curious about new media, then please join us — and bring a friend or colleague.

PodCamp London 2012 will be taking place on Saturday June 2nd, 2012 at the Convergence Centre at Western University’s Research Park. PodCamp will be utilizing the UnLab space (including the podcast studio) for the entire day.

As weeks pass more details will be made available regarding PodCamp London at www.podcamplondon.com

We had a group of talented and opinionated people to come together to ‘jam’ ¹ about what UnLondon is, what it does and what qualities it should be known for and they came up with ‘gather + create + improve’. We gave these words to James and he ran with it.

So, we’re a bit late, but Thanks James, you rock.