LO-03: Computational Fabrication

I explored the piece Proteus, made by RobotsInArchitecture. It is a display featuring a series of pixel-like structures in which a robot rearranges ferrofluid similar to how a computer screen recolors pixels to form images. Ferrofluid art isn’t particularly rare, but I find that the robotic programming of the piece makes it much more interesting as it coordinates and randomizes how its magnetic array is realigned, rather than simply having a preprogrammed structure it moves. Algorithms which control the magnet array have to feature some sort of group of randomized controls, with preset timers and restrictions on making the same pattern twice, as it is emphasized that the robot constantly shifts between patterns and has a large amount and doesn’t follow any sort of specific order. Patterns most likely aren’t programmed, but magnet movement of course is, meaning that there are technically limits to what the robot can create, but the creators programmed it so that it constantly is shifting, and transitions from pattern to pattern make the art almost limitless. It reflects a lot of the sensibility of RobotsInArchitecture as they constantly look to expand the usage of robots in art, and creating such an intricate robot I believe displays that same spirit of progress. It also reflects the piece’s title, reflecting the shapeshifting sea god of Greek myth who never keeps the same form, just as the robot constantly shifts its ferrofluid.