Interactive Installation
Arduino
3D Printing Technology
Traditional Art
Interactive Installation
Arduino
3D Printing Technology
Traditional Art
Breathing
My Role
Interactive Design
3D Modeling
Programming
Team Size
2 People
Timeline
March 2023 - May 2023
Overview
The interactive installation "Breath" draws from the ecological philosophy of Zhuangzi's classic work in Chinese traditional culture. It combines traditional art forms with interactive technology. The installation features mechanical flower models created using 3D printing technology and utilizes Arduino code, employing ultrasonic sensors for interaction.

Through this interactive design, the project aims to raise awareness about the relationship between humans and the natural environment, exploring philosophical issues related to the harmonious coexistence of all things.
pattern design
The design of the model patterns in the installation includes three parts: the mechanical flower petal patterns, the three-dimensional model patterns, and the base's circular continuous patterns. In the pattern extraction and design process, the balanced symmetry and flexible variability of Miao ethnic patterns are preserved, while also optimized and refined. Modern art design elements, such as simplicity and dynamic geometric beauty, are incorporated into the final design.
The mechanical flower patterns are primarily based on the composite patterns of the sun and plant motifs from the wax dyeing of the Rongjiang Miao ethnic group.
The 3D model includes three parts: mountains, fish, and butterflies. These parts are based on the patterns from the wax dyeing of the Rongjiang Miao ethnic group.
The base's circular continuous pattern is inspired by the halo petal-shaped sun patterns and swirl patterns from the wax dyeing of the Rongjiang Miao ethnic group.
Device structure
The device mainly consists of three parts: the base, the mechanical flower, and the control circuit. The base is a cylindrical acrylic box with a height of 10 cm and a diameter of 40 cm. Inside the base, components such as an Arduino board, servos, and control circuits are installed, forming the core structure of the device along with the mechanical flower.

The top of the base is equipped with a white resin model, which includes a ring-shaped continuous pattern and a three-dimensional model. The mechanical flower is connected to the servos inside the base through holes in the acrylic plate on the upper part of the base, allowing it to be fixed in place and to open and close.

The mechanical flower consists of three parts: high, middle, and low, crafted from metal brass tubes, brass wires, and white resin. The control circuit includes the main components inside the base and external sensors, such as a microphone sensor and an ultrasonic sensor.
Interactive logic
The "breathing" light interaction is controlled by a microphone sensor, which adjusts the brightness of LED lights and light strips. When a user blows towards the microphone sensor, it samples the sound. If the volume exceeds 450, a `for` loop sequentially turns on the LEDs.

The mechanical flower's opening and closing interaction is primarily controlled by an ultrasonic sensor, which adjusts the servo motor's rotation angle. When the ultrasonic sensor detects a user within 20 cm, three servos control the three mechanical flowers to open sequentially.
manufacturing process
manufacturing process
Una Chen
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