Final Project
For my final project, I want to create a diorama of sorts... an automated scene of cutout paper or wood parts that can move. This will have various methods of user interface; the first of which will probably be to "start" or "open" when the viewer walks up to it (through a light sensor or something similar).
There will be 3-5 separate moving contraptions, all of which will be triggered by some sort of input, whether it be from the movements of the contraption itself or by user interaction.
All of these paper cutouts will be extensively drawn on, as the artistic/visual side of this project is important. My goal is to create an object that looks very analog from the outside (reminiscent of pop-up books and other similar children's toys) but is actually driven by motors and the MAKE board/sensors.
Ideas:
- Moving magnetic parts/magnetic sensors
- Some sort of "pull here" tab (that slides some little figure like a popup book) that actually triggers another action.
- An object, perhaps on the table in front of the diorama, that has a light sensor so that when you grab it, it triggers another action.
- A backlit image that only lights up at "the end" so you don't notice it until later...


2. Materials: Paper, Wood, String, Magnets, Motor (possibly stepper), light sensor/other sensors, MAKE board and laptop, other materials as needed...
3. The visitor interface: Creating a more sophisticated pop-up book, reminiscent of automata and clockwork figures.
4. How the artwork will be displayed: On a pedestal, preferably against a wall so I could hide the laptop and electronics.
5. Challenges and solutions thus far: Coming up with an overall theme/a more concrete idea of what I'm doing.
6. Anticipated challenges and solutions: Getting the sensors and interactivity to work reliably. Create the motions that I want without sacrificing the object as a work of art (that would still "look good" even when it wasn't moving.
Objectives and Intentions in creating this artwork: To create much more of an art piece that is interactive rather then an interactive piece that is artistic. Having simple but compelling mechanisms.
Hope to engage the viewer: To continually surprise them and draw them in to see what is going to happen next.
This project is relevant to my current art practice: I am currently trying to find a way to marry both sculpture and two-dimensionality effectively; to contain both drawn or painted images that could stand alone framed on a wall and a sculpture that adds depth and dimension to those images.
Desmond Paul Henry







Comments (1)
Brenden said
at 9:55 pm on Oct 3, 2010
hi! :)
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