In 2020 a group of students from BeCreative started working on an installation named Cage of thoughts and they created a first prototype. The given theme for the concept was “Urban skin” and they decided to make a piece of art that looks like a brain. In 2021 a new team took over and improved the mechanical construction, the electronics and the software of the installation. The main goal of this project team is to assemble the existing parts, design and create the missing parts, and finalize the light show for the Glow festival in November 2021.
Project description
The main objective of the project is to finish the Cage of Thoughts, so that it can be displayed on the Glow Festival 2021. The main objective can be divided in three sub objectives: mechanical part, electrical part, and the visitor experience of the Cage of Thoughts.
Mechanical part: We welded and assembled the whole framework of the brain. Besides that, we redesigned the base because otherwise the installation would tip over quite easily due to its weird center of gravity.
Electrical part: We designed and created the hand sensors to make the installation interactive. The sensor pads are battery powered and all data communication is wireless; we did not want any cables between the sensor pads and the installation.
Visitor experience: we added interactivity to the installation via the hand sensors. When a visitor touches the pad, the light show inside the brain will respond to your touch by changing its pattern, brightness, and colors.
Project result
Our design relates to the thoughts buzzing in our heads that help us connect to humanity. Is our brain enthusiastic when people make contact? Or does is it get anxious? This artwork was displayed at the TU/e campus during the GLOW festival in November 2021.
Video
Links
https://www.gloweindhoven.nl/nl/glow-2021/projecten-2021/cage-of-thoughts