Project Description
The Eye (working title) is an interactive story-based sculpture, meant to inhabit the vast emptiness of the Desert. It combines technology and organic materials to create an image of an alien-esque lifeform that represents the unseen lifeforms in the desolate environment.
The sculpture is an actor in the story of a Traveler who happens upon it. He stumbles towards this display of sound, lights, and movement, intrigued but apprehensive. As he moves closer he sees that the Eye is now looking at him and follows his staggered gait. Suddenly there is a flash of uncomfortable light and noise and he is forced to stumble back. This story encapsulates the experience of the installation; discomfort, intrigue, and apprehension.
It also opens up space for discourse. The audience is forced to consider the idea of life in the desert and how they are also observers much like the Eye. The Eye is a direct metaphor for seeing the unexpected and being forced to reckon with it and its intentions.
Interaction Design + Desert Context
The interaction design of this installation leverages physical elements to create an unsettling experience for viewers. As the audience approaches the large, eye-like structure framed by two walls, the lighting intensifies, drawing them in and enhancing their sense of intrigue and immersion. As they move closer, the eye follows their motion, instilling a sense of unease akin to being surveilled in the desert. This environment, defined by vastness and emptiness, evokes the feeling that something is watching from beyond the immediate, visible surroundings. The desert context amplifies this eerie surveillance, as it embodies an environment where visibility is limited by its sheer scale, creating tension between what is seen and what is unknown.
Techical Implementation:
At the heart of the installation will be a custom-built mechanical eye, which will be programmed to track the movements of approaching observers. Using an array of ultrasonic sensors and servo motors, the eye will be able to follow individuals from a distance of 3 to 4 meters, giving the sensation of being watched by a mysterious presence in the desert. The eyeball will be made to glow through the use of 3D-printed diffusers, which will evenly disperse the light from a Neopixel Ring embedded within, creating an ethereal and otherworldly effect. To complement this visual experience, ambient soundscapes will be played through strategically placed speakers, enveloping visitors in the echoing sounds of the vast Rub al Khali and enhancing the sense of isolation and awe. Additionally, Neopixel Strips will be installed on the walls supporting the structure, providing dynamic lighting that will mimic the shifting colors and shadows of the desert at sunset.
Before beginning our work on the 3D model and eye mechanism, we wanted to explore and understand the fundamental workings of a mechanical eye. To guide this, we found a helpful tutorial here, which demonstrated the concept using Arduino. We adapted the 3D model provided in the tutorial and developed our own version of the control code in Python to test the mechanism. A demo video of our initial setup is available on this website.
Currently, we are experimenting with three ultrasonic sensors and are developing a custom algorithm to enhance eye movement and speed tracking.