SEVERAL PROJECTS WERE PART OF THE RE+PUBLIC COLLABORATION

HEAVY [adj] DEEP; PROFOUND

THE HEAVY PROJECTS was founded as a means to critically investigate the intersection between emerging technologies and semiotics, or the theory and study of sign systems. More practically, Heavy has evolved to develop creative and provocative deployments for emerging technologies that challenge existing styles of interaction, design, art and modes of thinking. A synthesis of an academic, futurist, developer, and artist, Heavy believes that ideas are transcendent and what move people. As such, technology is most powerful and enduring when used in service of meaningful ideas.

BC [heavy] BIERMANN is an educational technologist, academic, and digital artist. With a PhD in Humanities [ Intermedia Analysis ] from the Universiteit van Amsterdam, and derives his alias from his love for philosophical discussion. With an interdisciplinary background that comprises technology, philosophy, and the arts, he has worked as both a university professor and a tech developer. In 2005, BC founded The Heavy Projects as a means to technologically explore his internationally presented academic research, which investigates the intersection of emerging technologies and semiotics.

HEAVY WORK + PLAY

COLLABORATORS + CONSPIRATORS

CHRIS NUNES founded the augmented reality company Holofy and is a digital media attorney and technology entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley. With a BA in Economics from UCLA, a JD from Georgetown, and numerous startups and mobile apps under his belt, Chris's background is well-suited for emerging technology projects.

JAY IORIO is the Director of Innovation for the IEEE Standards Association and a 28 year veteran in emerging technology. His focus centers on virtual worlds, augmented reality, and serious gaming. Iorio built and currently manages IEEE Island in Second Life and has worked extensively with multimedia, and 3D user interfaces.

EAN MERING is a bondable multi-disciplinary producer with a unique background in film, interactive advertising, and emerging technologies. Ean also has a background in photoshop matte paintings and concept art.

SERHAN ULKUMEN is a digital media creator, which feeds his instinctive drive to connect with others. Only in his early twenties, Serhan is already a force in both the emerging AR and VR worlds and excels in both front end design and back end programming.

COMMISSION HEAVY FOR:

COMMISSION A PROJECT

INTERACTIVE SPACES

EXPERIMENTAL

PUBLIC SPEAKING

ETHOS

DROP-IN

DROPPING-IN is a skateboarding term. The first time a person drops in, gravity and common sense informs the mind to keep their weight safely on the back foot, which inevitably results in disaster. Successfully dropping-in means stomping down into the bowl with all your weight on the front foot. The mind learns to confront fear and drop-in, not only in skating, but in all domains of life.

PLAY OUTDOORS

GHETTO-BLASTER is a large, portable, radio cassette player. It is played especially outdoors, in public places at loud volume; and carried on one shoulder with loudspeakers facing the head. It is assumed that by-passers share the same musical taste. Technology is often seen as being played by nerds in basements. But some tech like augmented reality has the ability to bring its users outdoors...

IDEAS TRANSCEND TECH

The neuron transmits ideas as electro-chemical code in the brain and signifies Heavy's reverence of the mind's ability for philosophical reflections, which inspires imagination and innovation. Ideas are eternal and transcend the quick and somewhat ephemeral life-cycles of technology.