The Dots - Interactive Kinetic Installation

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The Dots

"The Dots," an interactive installation by Jack Lee, explores the profound environmental impact of individuals through kinetic art. This captivating artwork features meticulously arranged polarised panels, ingeniously designed to create mesmerising visual effects through pure physical manipulation.

Driven by servo motors and sensors, the panels' transparency dynamically adapts to the viewer's proximity, unveiling a thought-provoking visual narrative. With its powerful fusion of art and technology, this creation epitomises the essence of Lee's "Matters" project series. "The Dots" catalyses contemplation, urging viewers to reflect upon their responsibility towards the environment.

CONCEPT

Global environmental issues are often too enormous, abstract, and disconnected from individuals, so even though the public is generally aware of their existence, it is still hard to resonate with them. The power to control whether the Earth's environment develops positively or negatively lies in the hands of each individual.

This project aims to create an interactive installation that presents an individual's environmental impact through technology arts. The works can attract the public's attention and participation, allowing them to comprehend the metaphor and reflect on the issues.

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I. Magic of Lights

POLARISER

The polarising film used in this installation plays a crucial role in creating its mesmerising visual effects. The film is applied to the surface of the panels and the viewer's face shield, creating a unified polarised environment. Polarisation is a property of light that describes the direction in which its waves vibrate. The film is specially designed to filter and manipulate the polarisation of light passing through it.

As the panels rotate, the relative angle between the polarised film on the panels and the viewer's face shield changes. This change in angle alters the transmission of light through the panels, affecting their transparency. When the polarisation angles align, the panels become more transparent, allowing more light to pass through. Conversely, when the polarisation angles are misaligned, the panels appear darker and less transparent.

DISTANCE TO DARKNESS

This dynamic interaction between the viewer's perspective and the polarised panels creates captivating visual transformations, enhancing the immersive experience and reinforcing the connection between the viewer and the artwork.

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II. PROCESS

PROCESS

In this art installation, seven circular panels are precisely arranged, forming an intriguing hexagonal grid. Guided by servo motors controlled by an Arduino board integrated with an Ultrasonic distance sensor, each panel gracefully comes to life. The panels' surfaces are coated with a delicate layer of polarised film, the same as the material of a specially designed face shield that the audience wears.

As the panels elegantly rotate, a mesmerising metamorphosis unfolds. The transparency of each panel dynamically shifts, influenced by the relative angle between the viewer's glasses and the panels themselves. This captivating interplay between movement and perception creates a visual symphony where the degree of rotation echoes the distance between the audience and the installation.

Medium: Polarised Film, Sensor, Servos, Microcontroller, Steel

Size: W: 50cm, D: 30cm, H: 75cm

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III. DEPLOYMENT

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IV. APPLICATION

The future application of "The Dots" installation holds immense potential to engage and inspire audiences in various settings. Beyond its current artistic context, the concept and technology employed in this work can be extended to broader applications.

In public spaces, such as museums or interactive exhibitions, "The Dots" can serve as an immersive experience that encourages public engagement and dialogue. By inviting viewers to reflect on their individual responsibility for the environment, the installation prompts discussions and actions towards a more sustainable future.

Furthermore, the technology and techniques employed in "The Dots" can inspire innovations in architectural design and urban planning. By integrating similar interactive elements into buildings and public spaces, it becomes possible to create dynamic environments that respond to human presence and encourage eco-friendly behaviours.

Overall, the future application of "The Dots" extends beyond its current art form, presenting opportunities for environmental education, public engagement, and sustainable design solutions. By harnessing the power of interactive technology art, this installation has the potential to contribute to a more conscious and environmentally responsible society.

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V. EXHIBITION - RCA2023