Recitation – 10/14 – Actuators and Mechanisms

Step 1

Here is a timelapse video of my lab partner, Kenny, and I building the circuit. 

Step 2

Here are two timelapse videos of Kenny and me assembling the cardboard mechanism.

Step 3

Here are some videos of Kenny and me playing around with our creation!

Question 1 

An art installation I found interesting in Stephen Wilson’s ART + Science NOW is Paul DeMarinis’ Firebirds. This installation makes use of a gas flame that is seeded with potassium ions and made to vibrate the air through the electrical modulation of a voltage. As the air around the flame is instantaneously heated and cooled, expanding waves of sound vibration are produced, creating an omnidirectional sound source. Paul uses this to reproduce the speeches of famous 20th-century dictators, giving the piece meaning through its dual symbolism of a cage and flame to represent each speech.

I was instantly drawn to the piece and found the message behind it captivating. I think the way in which the artist communicated his intended message was executed very well, and the usage of a little-known effect only draws more interest to it. 

This project is drastically different from the one I made in recitation. This piece uses actuators to create a vibration necessary for a little-known effect. The project I created on Friday simply uses a motor to move a cardboard mechanism. Nonetheless, both of these projects use actuators to accomplish the desired action.

I think that the artist decided to use vibrating actuators in order to properly communicate his intention with the piece. In order to convey his desired message, he needed to accomplish a scientific process that required this vibrating motion. Without it, this effect and, by extension, the message would never have been possible. 

Question 2

I’m interested in building a moving painting for my midterm project. This will consist of a painting in which various elements present in the piece will be able to move and bring it to life through motors. In addition, the spectator will be able to hit certain switches or tinker with knobs to change the speed something will move or the brightness of the lights in the painting. The flexibility and malleability to the user’s interest will set my system of motors apart from the usage of a digital screen or animation for this project. 

Here is a short sketch of my idea for the project!

I plan to use cardboard, construction, or paint to create details and everything needed to create a functional circuit, including lights and motors, to complete this project. 

I expect that users that come in contact with my project will want to try out all the different buttons, switches, and knobs on the frame.