Norma Desmond Dress, by Scott Tallenger

For more information, go to www.exploratorium.edu/2ndskin
For images, go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/pr/documents/2ndskin_slideshow/2ndskin.html.
For video, go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/pr/pressvideo.php?program=723.

Don't miss demonstrations of the latest trends in heated clothes, electroluminescent wire, soft circuitry, green innovations and new materials. A selection of artists will be using recycled materials such as soda cans and ping pong balls. You'll see Karen Wilkinson's jackets and hats made of layers of plastic bags and danger tape, or Anna Rochester's Snickers wrappers dress, and dresses made of old-fashioned filmstrips.

We'll also have a demo about soft circuitry, which includes metal thread that conducts electricity. You'll see how to fashion snaps and zippers into electronic parts. A live demonstration called "Cool Neon Crochet" will be all about EL wire (electroluminescent wire). In a free workshop called "Bling," explore LEDs, conductive thread and simple circuits, and build blinking baubles and bodily adornments of all kinds. Wear or bring your own full-body, wearable art and receive half-off museum admission to this event. Everyone is encouraged to then loan their personal creations to the Exploratorium for a temporary en masse sculpture reflecting the innovative spirit of the Bay Area. Selected clothing will be hung from the rafters, to remain suspended above the museum floor for five months. Details on how to contribute wearable art to the clothesline project can be found at (415) 561-0361. To receive your wearable art discount, you must present your costume at the door. Discounts are for April 25 only. For those who wish to make advance reservations without discount, please go to www.ticketweb.com. Admission is included in the price of admission to the Exploratorium.

Among the works to be included:

Massage me
By Hannah Perner-Wilson and Mika Satomi from the Interface Culture Lab
Institute of Media Studies in Kunstuniversitat, Linz
This interactive wearable computing project includes a controller that is wired to a jacket, which converts massaging actions into control signals that are read by a video game. One can get a massage and play a video game at the same time.

Masticator (2005)
By Takehito Etani
This headgear has a custom-made electronic device that gives audio-visual feedback of chewing during meals. At each chew, the device beeps and counts the number of chews on the LED digital display. The headgear is called "Masticator," and the one who wears the headgear also becomes the "Masticator." Etani's Third Eye is a perception device, located outside the body, that sees objects behind the person wearing the device.

Amanda Parkes' Piezing generates power using the natural gestures of the human body in motion. Around the joints of the elbows and hips of the garment is piezoelectric material that generates electricity in response to applied mechanical stress. The electricity is then stored as voltage in a centralized small battery and later can be discharged for use.

Stephanie Sandstrom's EPA Dress responds to bad air -- sensors incorporated into the dress read air quality -- and crumples up on bad days.

Alyce Santoro has created a dress made out of audio tape that you can play. The dress comes with a jury-rigged audio tape player carried by the model who "plays" the dress.

Lisa Hoffman's dress form interacts with anyone nearby, turning to face whomever is closest. The sound of its Tyvek fabric is amplified as it turns.

Local artist Sha Sha Higby will perform within her exquisite and ephemeral body sculpture. Known internationally for her haunting and evocative performances, she creates metaphorically rich and intimate journeys in multi-layered costumes made of wood, silk, paper, urushi, ceramic, and gold leaf.

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