Dancing Tree

Final Project 2024, Lin

Concept and Inspiration

The installation draws inspiration from the theory that music can enhance plant growth. It translates this idea into an interactive experience: when participants produce sounds of specific frequencies, the tree "grows" upward and remains at an elevated height. If the sound frequency drops or ceases for a period, the tree gradually returns to its initial position.

In this project, Processing is used to detect sound frequency, while Arduino controls a servo motor based on the frequency data. To achieve the effect of a growing tree, two primary challenges were addressed:

Designing a mechanism to move the tree structure vertically.
Creating the illusion of the tree growing larger, rather than just taller.

Dancing Tree

1. Mechanical Structure

Actuator:
The tree's vertical movement is controlled by a 180-degree servo motor connected to a gear mechanism. A Neopixel LED strip adds dynamic lighting to enhance the interactive effect.

Tree Frame:
The tree's basic structure is made of laser-cut wooden slats assembled into a flexible and articulated framework. Movable joints are secured with 3mm screws to allow smooth vertical motion.

Tree Structure

2. Programming

The system's code consists of three main parts:

Frequency Threshold Logic:
Processing analyzes sound input and maps the frequency to control the servo motor via Arduino. The frequency threshold determines whether the tree should grow (value 1) or retract (value 0). This is achieved through an if-statement structure that compares the detected frequency to predefined thresholds.

Neopixel Lighting:
The LED strip mirrors the tree's activity. When the tree "grows," soft green light glows from the base, symbolizing the energy provided by sound for its growth.

Servo Motor Control:

To achieve the desired organic growth effect, the servo motor’s rotation is carefully controlled by adjusting its angle incrementally rather than setting a fixed speed. This approach creates a smooth, lifelike motion, simulating the gradual upward growth of a tree.

3. Structural Optimization and Decoration

Base Design:
The tree is supported by a hollow rectangular structure inside a flowerpot. This base serves as both a support system and a vertical track for the tree’s movement, guided by the gear mechanism.
The flowerpot is intentionally designed with irregular shapes and non-parallel faces to enhance its artistic appeal, resembling a chunk of earth from which the tree has been unearthed.

Tree Decoration:
To make the framework resemble a real tree, plastic leaves were added to the structure. These leaves conceal the mechanical components and enhance the visual impact.

4. User Interaction and Experience

When participants sing or shout at the tree, it responds dynamically. As sound frequency increases, the tree grows out of the "soil," and soft green light pulses from the flowerpot, symbolizing the energy supplied by sound. When the sound diminishes, the tree slowly retracts, creating a poetic and immersive interaction that bridges nature and technology.

This project invites participants to engage with the installation through their voice, reinforcing the symbolic connection between sound and growth. It not only entertains but also provokes thought about the relationship between humans, sound, and nature.

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