Interactive Airplane Wing Dreams To Be In Space, Connects to NASA, & Glows At Columbus Museum of Art

by Daric Gill

{Feature Video of Sculpture Above}

The Imagination Machine

The Imagination Machine is an interactive light sculpture that communicates with NASA, is motion sensitive, tells time, and has a feature that can be remotely controlled from anywhere in the world. It is made from the wing of a Flying Flea aircraft, strips of individually programmable LEDs, and the brains of a Wi-Fi enabled micro-controller circuit board. Part of The Living Machine series, this responsive sculpture takes a look at the emotional intelligence of imagination (as displayed by a robot), and how that relates to a more global sense of self.

This wing has been enhanced with new parts and imagines what it may be like to take flight in outer space. Looking up to the heavens, its onboard brains communicate with NASA’s open database using a unique online key. Each time the International Space Station passes directly over the wing, it gets excited and displays a special light show of vibrant blues. When not activated by the nearby space station, a set of motion sensors wakes it up to perform a slowly undulating pattern of pastel colors for approaching visitors. Additionally, on the hour, the wing pulses white, showing the passing of time.

The Imagination Machine holds another secret as well: One feature can be controlled remotely. From the beginning stages of this piece, I knew that I’d be working abroad during its inaugural debut. It is built to be globally interactive, both from space and from the ground. Just now, I used my phone to say ‘hello’ to the sculpture floating in the museum in Ohio, USA, from where I sit…  a beautiful cafe bistro in Germany.  This remote access has been intentionally designed so that I can share the experience with others I meet abroad. With the tap of a button on my phone, newly made friends can communicate with the sculpture and to the people visiting it at the museum.

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{Explore the entire build process  here}

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