Due: Thurs. Feb 9, class time, with intermediate results on Jan 31 and Feb 7.
par·a·site/ˈperəˌsīt/
noun: parasite; plural noun: parasites
- an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other’s expense.”the parasite attaches itself to the mouths of fishes”
- DEROGATORY a person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return. “the capitalist is really a parasite on the workers”
The above is from Google Dictionary.
The theme for this project is Parasite. Create a parasite that interacts with an object, an architectural element, or human body using pneumatic actuators and textiles.
Your parasite should move or transform to give the illusion of being alive. Here are some questions to help move your concept along: What feeds your parasite? What are the environmental conditions that the parasite needs to survive (i.e. sunlight, darkness, silence, noise, etc.)? What is the relationship between the parasite and its host?
Your parasite can take on any form and does not need to be recognizable or already exist.
In class we have created pneumatic “muscles” that expand and contract, and we have amplified or restricted this movement by adding cloth and rigid elements. Use these qualities of expansion, contraction, amplification, and restriction to create the body and movement of your parasite.
You will learn how to use air pumps and a microcontroller to automate the movement of your parasite. Since the parasite’s movement will take place over time, experiment with the composition of your parasite’s movement: is it fast or slow? large or small movements? how do the movements change over time?
Parameters.
Your project must follow the following parameters:
- size: at least 18″ x 18″ x 18″
- chambers: at least 2
- motors: 2-4
Deliverables.
Update #1: due Tues., Jan 31:
- Experiment with the electric pumps, tubing, and your custom pneumatic chambers to create the base “muscles” and rigid parts of your parasite.
- Create a blog post on the class website that documents they pneumatic system and movement of your parasite thus far. Include a brief video and brief written statement about your process and discoveries.
Update #2: due Tues., Feb. 7:
- Continue developing the pneumatic system of movement of your parasite. Experiment with automation by programming the microcontroller to actuate the pumps.
- Test out different textiles, yarns, or fabrics as elements of your parasite. How do the textile elements amplify or restrict the the movement?
- Create a blog post on the class website that documents the pneumatic system and movement of your parasite thus far. Include a brief video and brief written statement about your process and discoveries.
Full Project: due Thursday, Feb. 9:
- write a blog post on the course website with the following:
- brief videos* showing a performance of you with your symbiote.
- a brief statement for each explaining the intent, notable successes, and informative failures.
- Bring in your physical parasite, ready to activate and show, to class for demonstration and discussion.
* Please give consideration to the backdrop to your video so that it is as least distracting as possible (meaning, unless the site is specific to your performance, please make sure you have a blank background so we can easily see your work.