For a general introduction to the New New Babylon Project, please check out the project page.
We are now in the grant phase. The deliverables for this phase are:
- An AI-Based Analysis of Supporting, Contradictory, and Complementary Resources
- An artistic XR rendering of a New New Babylon on top of an existing city or city district
- Art Expo (minimum Online, ideally IRL)
- Art Book
I am trying to get the first two done, or at least well-developed, by year-end.
AI-based Analysis
I have been experimenting with Google’s NotebookML – now Gemini Notebook. I uploaded some 70 resources about:
- Constant’s New Babylon from 1950ies
- 21st-century criticism of his work
- Architectural reflections about urbanism
- Urbanism and memory research from the Protocol Institute
- Some cybernetics material related to Gordon Pask and his conversational protocol
Gemini Notebook generated the following summary, but it seems to miss the cybernetics material – at least in this summary – but this is probably due to the 50-source limit under the free plan.
“These sources explore the intersection of urban design, digital media, and human identity, primarily focusing on how play and structured environments shape our perception of the world. Kevin Lynch introduces “imageability” to describe how clear physical layouts, such as paths and landmarks, help residents build mental maps and feel emotionally secure. Building on this, Valerie Frissen and others examine “Homo Ludens 2.0,” a concept where digital connectivity and gamification allow users to experiment with their identities within virtual landscapes. Drew Austin bridges these ideas by analysing protocols, like the urban street grid, which act as invisible “software” managing the tension between rigid infrastructure and fluid human behaviour. Together, the texts suggest that whether through physical architecture or digital platforms, the rules and forms governing our surroundings profoundly influence how we navigate, create, and relate to one another. Overcoming protocol failure or urban chaos requires a deeper understanding of these interactive systems and their impact on the human experience.”
Gemini Notebook generated some very interesting reports, slides, visuals, and blog posts that I will share on this blog in the coming weeks. Below are some teasers.
The last one – “The Architecture of Experience” – is particularly interesting, as it goes well with the work I have been doing with Andreea Ion Cojocaru on “Home Experience”. See also our joint talk for UnitedXR Europe in December of last year.
Artistic XR rendering test case Ghent
The idea here is to virtually create a layer – the city of play – above the city of Ghent (could be any city in the world). I am experimenting with the Cesium open platform for creating powerful 3D geospatial applications. Testing in both the Unity and Unreal Engines. The plan is for the layered city of play to be composed of self-sculpted shapes, created in Blender or Nomad Sculpt. Ideally with 3D audio on top, but that is a nice-to-have. An alternative would be to leverage the material of Spectracities.
Open Call
If you think this is interesting and want to contribute to the project – in money or in kind – drop me a note. Feel free to comment. To stay updated, subscribe to the blog.
Warmest,
Petervan Studios 