These projects are from the class Embedded Systems and Kinetic Art,
taught by Erik Brunvand (School of Computing) and
Paul Stout (Department of Art and Art History) in Fall semester 2010
Kinetic sculpture is art that contains moving parts or depends on motion, sound, or light for its effect. The kinetic aspect is often regulated using microcontrollers connected to motors, actuators, transducers, and sensors that enable the sculpture to move and react to its environment.
An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system (microcontroller) designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions, often reacting to environmental sensors. It is embedded into a complete device including hardware and mechanical parts rather than being a separate computer system.
Kinetic art using embedded control is a marriage of art and technology. Artistic sensibility is required for concept and planning, and engineering skill is required to realize the artistic vision. In this project-based class computer engineering students will work together with art students to build collaborative kinetic art pieces. Students will explore interfacing of embedded systems with sensors and acuators of all sorts, along with real-time/interactive programming techniques and interrupt driven system design. They will also explore physical and conceptual aspects of machine-making as a sculpture process.
This class is really two classes that meet together - one in the School of Computing and one in the Department of Art and Art History. Project teams will be required to include students from both disciplines. This ia a cross between an engineering class (embedded system design and programming) and an art studio class (designing and building the sculptures) with all students participating fully in both areas.
One of the main purposes of this joint class is to help students understand the fundamental notion of DESIGN, both in engineering and the arts. We all know good design when we see it, and appreciate things (both computer-related and art-related) that exhibit excellence in design. But how do good designers learn to be good designers? We hope that this course is one step along that journey.
From the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) side we encourage students to apply their technical skills in a context that is explicitly non-technical. This can allow students thefreedom to try a wide range of approaches to a particular problem. In the process, engineers are exposed to a variety of aesthetic and creative concepts that would not normally be part of an engineering curriculum. Artists explore programming and engineering in a context that is more conducive to their learning style because it is directed at art-making. Both groups of students gain practical experience in design-thinking which is quite distinct from the computational thinking that is usually more associated with CSE.
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These videos are from the opening of the gallery show that showed off the class projects. The show, entitled Intersectio, ran from Feb 1-11, 2011 in the Gittins Gallery on the University of Utah campus. Intersectio is latin for "the intersection of." |
CrankTwit - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This is an interactive sculpture. If you grab the sprocket and rotate the chain, you'll get a new fortune on the scrolling LED sign. The artists are Nate Lane, Billy Rond, and Dan Wardell
Wood Ribbon: a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
In this piece a wooden ribbon is suspended in air via a series of thin, almost invisible, cables. There is a wooden framework that surrounds the ribbon. A "control panel" has four sliders and one button. Moving the sliders changes the position of the ribbon on each axis, and the button stops movement. The user can manipulate the ribbon into an endless variety of shapes. The artists are Lawrence Boye, Matt Allen, and Dan Wardell.
Robot: a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
In this piece a small robot shrugs his shoulders at random intervals. The artist is Kevin Murphy.
Paper Drop - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This piece is by Lawrence Boye, Michael Handley, and Robin Bailey. The piece sits near the ceiling. When it senses that people are underneath, it picks up a piece of paper, and with a servo-controlled hand, drops it from the ceiling so that it floats down to the floor.
Fall - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
In this piece the leaves begin to fall inside the lighted case at random times, and fall for a random amount of time. The artists are Brittney Johnson, Kevin Murphy, Billy Rond, and Christine Upton
Creature - A kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This Creature was created by Austin Maxwell
Eye - a kinetic scuplture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
The artist for the eye is Brittney Johnson.
Dark Crystal - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This piece is by Molly Jacobs, Billy Rond, and Chris Kelly.
Talking Boxes: a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
In this piece two boxes start a conversation in response to a viewer approaching the piece. The artists are Brittney Johnson, Joseph Kingston, and Dan Wardell.
Shy Picture: a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
In this piece the picture on the wall invites closer inspection, but when the viewer gets too close, it shuts, hiding the painted image. When the viewer backs away, the picture reveals itself again. The artists are Calvin Furano, Nate Lane, and Cameron Robert.
Bamboo: a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
In this piece suspended bamboo stalks move gently at random times. The "roots" are made of wire. The artists are Matt Allen, Austin Maxwell, and Christine Upton.
Brain - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This piece is by Matt Allen, Laura Jeffress, and Cameron Robert. This is an interactive piece. When people talk into the cans, a different colored LED lights up for each communication can.
Take a Penny - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This piece is by Laura Jeffres, David McDougall, and Simon Larson.
Marble World - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This piece is by Molly Jacobs, Michael Handley, and Cameron Dadgari. The three switches on the front of the box each control one dimension of the kinetics. By changing the switches the viewer can change the behavior of the piece.
Burning House - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This piece is by Molly Jacobs, Joseph Kingston, and Cameron Robert. When nobody is around the house deflates. When someone approaches, it inflates, lights up, and makes sound like a crackling fire.
Sound Track - a kinetic sculpture from Erik Brunvand on Vimeo.
This piece is by Spencer Buchanan. There are 144 light sensors installed behind the screen. As the video is projected, various areas of the screen have their light intensities averaged. This then is input to the sound generators. In this way the video generates its own sound track based only on the lighting of the video.