I decided to completely change my direction after some feedback on the first checkpoint. I started with a simple hinged pouch and added levers to either side.

I figured if I changed the pouch into a trapezoid I could rotate it around a central point and have four pouches in a ring:

my initial idea was to use two pumps

I made the pouches and used the craft paper as the rigid element for the hinge. The masking tape was peeling up and the pouches weren’t hinging as much as I wanted them to, so I switched them out for cardboard and duct tape.

I attached the levers next, one on each side of the pouch. It was difficult to control the amount of inflation and retention such that the pouches would have enough movement but not burst. I sealed the intersections with duct tape, poked holes in the plastic, covered up the holes…

I liked the levers on the parasite because they accentuate the motion created by the inflation/deflation.

I glued polyfil all over the outside to give it a weird moldy texture. I timed the motors so they fired at different intervals. I added white nylon with fringe at the end on top of the wood levers to make it look more cohesive with the parasite. The fronds don’t move much but if the parasite is knocked a little bit they respond.

Part of the experience of this parasite is the feeling of the host. The parasite gently squeezes your head on different sides with time. Maybe the parasite is taking your cognitive capacity.