Software
 

Design concept
It is designed as “modern version of Potlatch system” combined with Bitcoin.

Design by citizen participation
–  Following the process of the traditional way of an ordinary village festival, we had a fundraising as a pre-festival. People make “dedication” with their own words to pray through this process.
– People’s words of prayer are synthesized by the unique AI by an AI startup WATASHIHA Inc. The artificially generated voice which sounds like a real human voice inspires people.
– Cryptocurrency collected from all over the world during the parade is deposited into the dedicated wallet and dedicated to the local shrine where the mikoshi is carried.

Software design
– In the “Digital Potlatch System” installed on the mikoshi, when Bitcoin collected from all over the world is deposited into the dedicated wallet on Blockchain.com, Python script executed in the server (mikoshi) monitors the balance to detect the arrival of currency.
– The control command is sent to each application depending on the payment.
The LED pattern and voice control application are implemented with openFrameworks, and it controls the LED pattern and the voice audio from mikoshi according to the amount of currency to the wallet and the number of payments. In addition, the fan controller implemented with Arduino controls the rotation speed of the LED fan according to the amount of money received and the number of payments of Bitcoin, and it bring excitement to people carrying the mikoshi by light, sound and rotation of LED fan.
– the interaction of mikoshi changes gradually depending on the amount of Bitcoin received. Currently, there are three stages: “normal celebration”, “wasshoi celebration”, and “super wasshoi celebration”, and the designed LED light pattern, synthesized voice, and fan rotation speed are set.

*”Wasshoi” is a shout when carrying a mikoshi.

Implementation method / Tools
Python, openFrameworks, Arduino

Other functions
– As there is a stream live for the state of mikoshi procession, anybody can participate in this local festival from anywhere in the world.
– “Digital Potlatch System” aims to be a platform that can support other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and DASH other than Bitcoin.

Hardware
 

[Design concept]
– Mikoshi is a “portable shrine” used in traditional Japanese festivals. It is said that people carry mikoshi and move around the city, and the gods present in the architectures. The hardware of this work is based on this “mikoshi” concept.
– In hardware design, while following the traditional mikoshi structure, a chimera-like object, a mikoshi combined with gaming PCs, has been created.
In addition, the traditional culture and ritual articles have been updated to the modern design using digital fabrication tools such as laser cutters, while keeping handicrafts atmosphere with traditional craftsmanship.
– This “Mikoshi” can be produced all over the world because it is easier to mass-produce and duplicate than the traditional ones made with craftsmanship. This design facilitates the reproduction of festivals throughout the country.

[Exterior, hardware, and functions]

– The mikoshi is equipped with LED Stripe, LED Case Fan, Gaming PC, audio amplifier, battery and so on. At the same time, it is decorated with some ornaments such as “shimenawa” and “torii,” which used in traditional religious architectures, to create a unique exterior that combines technology and religion.
– LED light and the AI-generated voice interact with each other depending on the payment of Bitcoin. The LED patterns are designed very colorfully, inspired by the local street cultures and geek cultures.

[Implementation method / Tools]
Laser cutter, Cutting machine, Vectorworks, Illustrator

[Materials]
Structure: general-purpose aluminum frame, wood, acrylic board
Server: motherboard, CPU, memory, SSD, CPU cooler, ATX power supply, battery
Audio equipment: speakers, amplifiers,
LED: LED Case Fan, LED Stripe, LED Driver, stabilized power supply
Ornaments: Shinto shrines objects, lanterns

We shoulder up the Mikoshi and parade around PM 6:30-7:15 in Japan time.
Meanwhile, if you send bitcoin to the bitcoin address as below, the bitcoin you sent affect the Mikoshi parade in realtime. After that, It will be physically dedicated to shrine and temple in Tokyo.

 bitcoin address

18BNXj5Ngct9tbpws25xLx5kk4aGzyiXWV

Etsuko Ichihara (JP) / New media Artist, Fantasy inventor, Digital Shamanist

Etsuko Ichihara is Japanese award-winning new media artist. Born 1988 in Aichi. Graduated in Studies of Media, Body and Image from the School of Culture, Media and Society, Waseda University. She has been creating artworks that interpret Japanese culture, customs and beliefs from a unique point of view, and present new, technology-based approaches. Thanks to their strong impact, these works have been introduced across a wide range of media all over the world, such as  newspapers and TV programs, radio programs, and magazines.
Ichihara’s works were included in the Excellence Award at the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival, Entertainment Division in 2017, and in 2016, chosen for the INNOvation program from The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. She won Honorary Mention (Interactive Art＋) in PRIX Ars Electronica 2018 and received a STARTS Prize Nomination in the same year recently.
She has recently presented her works in exhibitions such as ‘Digital Shamanism: Japanese Funeral and Festivity’ at NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC], Japan Media Arts Festival. ,  ‘Cyber Arts Exhibition 2018’ at Ars Electronica Festival in Linz.

http://etsuko-ichihara.com/
twitter: @etsuko_ichihara

Credit

Planner, Media Art Director, Organizer: ICHIHARA Etsuko
Technical Direction, Software Development, Hardware Design and Development of Server Mikoshi: WATAI Taiki
Software Development of Server Mikoshi: INAGAKI Jun
Frame Structure Design and Production of Server Mikoshi: KAWASHIMA Takuro
Festival Music: NICOS ORCHEST-LAB
Minister of Fermentation: OGURA Hiraku
Animatronics Design and Development of Tengu: NAKADAI Hisanao
Application and motion development of Tengu robot: WATANABE Chika
Model of Tengu robot: FUJII Naotaka
Logo Design: HATA Yurie
Photographer: KUROHA Masashi
Videographer, Editor: NOMOTO Victor
Research & PR Support: HARADA Yuki (Qonversations)
Management Support: HAYAKAWA Yukie
Voice Synthesis: WATASHIHA Inc.
Venue & Management Cooperation: Kawashima Shopping Street

 “Virtual Currency Offering Festival” was featured on the medias below.

• Nikkei Cross Trend  “The intuitive power of Etsuko Ichihara, the “Shaman” who shows companies her vision of the future(Japanese)“
• Japan Times “Open Possibilities: There is Not Only One Neat Way to Imagine Our Futures(English)“
•  Ameet  “Weird Festival, which uses cutting-edge technology to turn delusions into reality(Japanese)“
• Japan Design Net “Emerging Designer: Etsuko Ichihara(Japanese)”
• Bijutsu Techo “Exhibition: Open Possibilities There is not only way to imagine our Future(Japanese)“
• FINDERS “Virtual Currency Offering Festival” in the cashless era! The organizers talk about their ‘festive’ update(Japanese)“
• Art Science Media “BoundBaw”　”Media Art x Indigenous Strange Festival. What is Etsuko Ichihara’s ambition for the “Virtual Currency Dedication Festival”?(Japanese)“
• JDN [Japan Design Net]　 “Virtual Currency Offering Festival, a new eccentric festival for the cashless era, to be held for two days from November(Japanese)
• TV Tokyo Plus＋　Do the occult and electromagnetic waves have good chemistry? “The survival strategy of the media artist Etsuko Ichihara, who holds a “strange festival(Japanese)
• FINTIDE  cryptcurrency media　”Media artist Etsuko Ichihara crowdfunding for “Virtual Currency Dedication Festival”, an unheard-of event(Japanese)”
• Newsweek Japan editions　Etsuko Ichihara’s challenge to a new “festival” – a book that encourages up-and-coming artists(Japanese)
• Qonversations　”Media artist Etsuko Ichihara wants to hear “How to redesign a visiting goddes”(Japanese)’