We recently finished the Overlays Exhibition. I am writing this blog post because I learned so many new things and discovered new fields of interest. Completing the projects for the exhibition opened up a new way of systematic thinking. Creating working systems is now a core interest of mine. The experience at the exhibition also made me rethink my master’s thesis topic. Let me explain why.
My part in the exhibition
I was part of two very different projects, each of which, of course, had its own challenges. Looking back, the biggest hurdle wasn’t the coding itself, but the process of creating the Portfolio Machine Website. We spent a lot of time going back and forth on which technologies to use. However, once we finally agreed on the stack, everything shifted into high gear. We developed the entire system incredibly fast. It taught me that while picking the right tools matters, getting the whole team on the same page is what truly gets the job done. Also learning about different sensors and getting them to work together into a symbiotic system was absolutely fascinating.
The Deep Breath installation was a stressful part of the past few weeks. We were working with servos and electronics, and for some reason, we just couldn’t get it right. For weeks, we were stuck in a cycle of testing and failing. We managed to find the problem just a few hours before the exhibition started, which was a huge relief because the project was successful in the end. It’s fascinating, and a bit exhausting, how deep you sometimes have to research just to find a single solution. Seeing it finally work perfectly for the audience was such a rewarding experience, especially after so much uncertainty.
Rethinking my master’s thesis
Perhaps the most important thing I gained from Overlays was a fresh start for my Master’s Thesis. To be honest, I wasn’t happy with my previous thesis project at all; it felt stagnant, and I was losing interest in its direction. Being able to successfully integrate web development with electronics, using motors and sensors, gave me a new perspective on what’s possible. I’ve now pivoted my thesis to incorporate these new skills. I am not yet sure where this path will lead me, but I am sure it will be a good time.
