Embedded Files
"VIDA"
Valery Magne & David Martinez
Instrutor: Viola He
CONTEXT
Our project, titled "Vida," is an interactive artwork that engages users through the activation of a sensor, triggering a 3D, realistic heart to move and while there is a fading light. We chose this concept because we aim to communicate the idea of life as ephemeral. The fading light symbolizes the transient nature of life when the heartbeat ceases, it represents mortality and our short existence. This invites viewers to reflect on their own lives and the fleeting moments that define their experiences.
To deepen our understanding, we researched life expectancy trends throughout history. We discovered that, in the past, regardless of birthplace, newborns had very short life expectancies. However, today, the global average life expectancy is around 72.9 years. Historical data shows that in 1800, a newborn could only expect to live a short life anywhere in the world. By 1950, life expectancy increased, though the length of one’s life still depended heavily on geography. In recent decades, all regions have made significant progress, with those previously worst-off in 1950 achieving the most dramatic improvements. Globally, life expectancy has increased from less than 30 years to over 72 years, more than doubling in just two centuries (Roser).
This historical context reinforces our message: we are fortunate to be alive today, in an era where life expectancy has improved so drastically. Babies born in earlier times didn’t have the same opportunities we do. Our project serves as a reminder to appreciate each heartbeat and cherish every moment, knowing that life is fleeting. The light in the artwork reflects this reality just as the light fades, so too does life, and we must treasure it while it lasts.
SIGNIFICANCE
Our project, "Vida," uses an interactive mechanical heart to symbolize the human spirit and the preciousness of life. The motor keeps the heart beating, representing the ongoing rhythm of life. The flickering lights reflect changes in energy, shining brightly during happy times and dimming during challenges, capturing life's ups and downs. Surrounding the heart are butterflies, which stand for the beauty and changes we experience, reminding us that life is always evolving.
"Vida" was inspired by interactive art that uses movement, light, and sensory triggers to engage people. What makes our project unique is the combination of a realistic 3D heart, flickering light, and butterflies to tell a story about the human experience. While other projects may explore life's shortness, "Vida" emphasizes not only the certainty of death but also the chance to grow and find meaning.
Our project is for anyone interested in exploring the deeper meaning of life. It aims to inspire people to think about their own experiences, see beauty in both good and difficult times, and embrace the constant changes that shape who we are.
INSPIRATION
Our previous project showed that interaction is about provoking thought and emotion, not just physical engagement. "Vida" aims to deepen interaction through its moving heart and fading light, inviting reflection on life’s fleeting nature. We want it to offer more than a visual experience by encouraging viewers to connect emotionally and find deeper meaning.
CONCEPT AND DESIGN
Our concept began with the desire to create something unique, leading us to design an interactive art piece. After conducting some research, I proposed adding a realistic element to captivate viewers and make the experience memorable. We decided on a 3D realistic heart that would appear to "pump" when activated by a distance sensor. The sensor would connect to a servo and string mechanism, pulling on the heart to simulate the pumping motion, while a fading light effect would accompany the movement. To ensure easy user interaction, we positioned the sensor in the top of the canvas, in order for users notice the visible spot.
Regarding materials, we initially wanted red fabric for the heart, but since it was unavailable, we chose to paint the fabric ourselves to achieve the desired effect. We also constructed the canvas from scratch using cardboard and black background material based on our initial sketches. The black background made the red heart and lights stand out, heightening the visual impact.
Furthermore, the lights were placed in the center of the heart to convey the message effectively, which is of representing the fleeting nature of life. While using already colored red fabric would have been more convenient, painting it allowed us to match the exact shade we envisioned. Another option was using pre-made materials, but that would have limited our ability to customize the design and achieve the intended effect. Ultimately, our choices in materials and design supported the project’s purpose by drawing attention to the heart and emphasizing the significance of each heartbeat through light and motion.
FABRICATION AND PRODUCTION
STEP 1 Sketch and Drawing
Figure 1 Sketches and Drawing "Vida"
The first step was creating a sketch of the 3D heart, which was crucial for visualizing our project and outlining how it would be constructed both electronically and with fabric elements. This step was relatively straightforward, allowing us to clearly convey our intention and the project's structure. My partner and I collaborated closely on the sketches; while my partner handled the drawing, I assisted by researching reference images and guiding him on how to depict specific details. This teamwork helped us refine the design and ensure that our vision was accurately represented.
STEP 2 Making the Code
Figure 2 Getting The Materials and Making The Code
When planning our roles, my partner and I agreed that I would take the lead on assembling the project with the fabrics and materials, while he focused on developing the code. Despite our division of tasks, I supported my partner by providing him with my Arduino kit and updating him on new functions such as layering and servo function, for making the process even faster. Furthermore, in this phase, we connected a distance sensor to the Arduino, which was also linked to a servo motor. The servo controlled a string mechanism that created the pumping motion of the 3D heart when the sensor was activated. This setup regardless we had some failures to manage the code work, allowed us to bring our concept to life by integrating the electronic and mechanical components.
STEP 3 Making the 3D Heart
Figure 3 Gathering The Materials and Making The 3D Heart
This step was particularly challenging. First, we struggled to find a fabric in the right color and with the ability to contract for the heart’s pumping motion. Moreover, my partner managed to find a suitable fabric that could work. However, we still had the issue of the fabric's color, so I suggested painting white fabric with different shades of red. After about an hour of painting, we let it dry before layering it over the special fabric.
This step required caution, as we had to avoid getting paint on ourselves and handle hot glue carefully. Despite the difficulties, my partner and I managed to complete it with patience. This experience taught me to be more careful and patient when handling potentially hazardous tasks, while also strengthening our teamwork skills.
STEP 4 Connecting the string to the Servo
Figure 4 Connecting The String With The Servo
Out of all the steps, this one was the most challenging. Considering the force needed for the servo to move the string and make the heart pump, I had to ensure the servo stayed securely in place. This required attaching it firmly enough so it wouldn’t shift under the strain. The solution I found involved using a combination of tape and hot glue to keep the servo stable, but it was one of the hardest tasks in the entire project. This step pushed me to improve my problem solving skills and knowledge of working with electronics. I felt an immense sense of relief when it finally worked as intended.
STEP 5 Finish Half of The Project For The User Testing Day
Figure 5 User & Half Constructed Midterm Project in Testing Day
After we completed half of the project, it was time for user testing, which provided us with two main points for improvement:
1. Make the distance sensor more obvious.
2. Implement lights.
We found it interesting that nearly everyone who interacted with our project was amazed to see the heart actually pump. My partner and I were relieved that users enjoyed our work, but some feedback indicated that they were unsure how the artwork functioned due to the sensor's visibility.
Moreover, since we had intended to incorporate lights from the beginning, we were grateful for the confirmation that users wanted them as well. This meant we didn’t need to make major changes to our project; we simply needed to reposition the sensor to a more visible location and add the lights.
STEP 6 Add modifications
Figure 6 Final Mid-Term Project Picture Front and Back
During this step, my partner and I decided to incorporate all the suggestions and modify our project. We began with the coding, successfully implementing the fading effect. Additionally, we added lights inside the heart, which proved to be challenging since I had never soldered wires to LED lights before. However, with some help from fellow students, I managed to solder around six cables.
Another challenge was installing the LED lights inside the canvas. After making holes for them, I was able to position the LEDs correctly. Moreover, we also added more details to the realistic 3D heart. Suddenly, we realized that the thread of the servo had broken. To prevent this issue from happening again, I reinforced it by doubling the string in the needle.
Furthermore, we included butterflies to symbolize the themes of transformation and growth in our message. We decided to place one near the distance sensor to make it more noticeable for users. In the end, our project was successfully completed, and I learned to be quick and decisive when making choices.
Code and Electronics
Our project features an interactive 3D heart that "pumps" when a user activates a distance sensor. The coding and electronics play a crucial role in creating this experience. We used an Arduino to control a servo motor, which moves a string to make the heart appear to beat. The heart's motion is triggered when a user comes within 10 cm of the distance sensor.
->Distance Sensor: The sensor measures the distance between the user and the artwork. If the user is close enough (10 cm or less), the heart is set to pump by moving the servo to a target position. The sensor adds interactivity by detecting the user's presence.
->Servo Motor: The servo motor controls the "pumping" action of the heart. The code gradually adjusts the servo's position to make the movement smoother and more realistic, mimicking a heartbeat. The servo is attached to a string that pulls on the heart, creating the pumping effect.
->LED Lights: We added multiple LED lights to enhance the visual effect and convey the theme of life's fleeting nature. The LEDs fade in and out, creating a subtle glow that represents the heartbeat's rhythm. The code controls four LEDs, making them gradually change brightness.
CODING:
#include <Servo.h>
Servo myServo1; // Create a servo object
int triggerPin = 3;
int echoPin = 2;
long distance;
int led = 10; // The PWM pin the LED is attached to
int led11 = 11; // New LED on pin 11
int led12 = 6; // New LED on pin 12
int led13 = 5; // New LED on pin 13
int brightness = 0; // How bright the LED is
int fadeAmount = 6; // Slightly faster fading
int currentServoPosition = 0; // Track the current servo position
int targetServoPosition = 0; // Track the target servo position
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(triggerPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);
myServo1.attach(9); // Connect the servo motor to pin 9
pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
pinMode(led11, OUTPUT); // Set pin 11 as output
pinMode(led12, OUTPUT); // Set pin 12 as output
pinMode(led13, OUTPUT); // Set pin 13 as output
}
void loop() {
// Send a pulse to trigger
digitalWrite(triggerPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(triggerPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(triggerPin, LOW);
// Wait for echo response
long duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH, 17400);
distance = duration / 29 / 2;
Serial.print("Distance: ");
Serial.println(distance);
// Determine the target servo position based on distance
if (distance <= 10) {
targetServoPosition = 180; // Target position if distance is 10 cm or less
} else {
targetServoPosition = 0; // Target position if distance is greater than 10 cm
}
// Small smoothing filter for the servo movement
if (currentServoPosition < targetServoPosition) {
currentServoPosition += 2; // Adjust increment for smoothing
if (currentServoPosition > targetServoPosition) {
currentServoPosition = targetServoPosition; // Clamp to target
}
} else if (currentServoPosition > targetServoPosition) {
currentServoPosition -= 2; // Adjust decrement for smoothing
if (currentServoPosition < targetServoPosition) {
currentServoPosition = targetServoPosition; // Clamp to target
}
}
myServo1.write(currentServoPosition);
// Fade the LEDs
brightness += fadeAmount;
// Reverse the fade direction at the limits
if (brightness <= 0 || brightness >= 255) {
fadeAmount = -fadeAmount;
}
// Write brightness to all LEDs
analogWrite(led, brightness);
analogWrite(led11, brightness);
analogWrite(led12, brightness);
analogWrite(led13, brightness);
delay(20); // Shortened delay for faster updates
}
CONCLUSIONS
One of our main goals for this project was to remind the audience that life is precious and to encourage them to appreciate every moment. We wanted to create an interactive art piece that effectively shared this message. Moreover, our project aligns with my idea of interaction, which involves two people engaging with each other through speaking, listening, and thinking. The quality of interaction can vary, with the most meaningful ones being memorable and satisfying. Our project allows different levels of interaction: it communicates through the heart's pumping and fading lights, listens when users wave their hands, and encourages them to reflect as they observe the artwork.
However, I see that my definition of interaction doesn't fully match our project. The quality of user engagement is somewhat limited because users can only wave at the sensor, which offers less interaction compared to what the machine produces. If we had more time, we would definitely add more sensors, like a button connected to a buzzer that makes a heartbeat sound. This would greatly improve the interaction.
Looking back at the challenges we faced during the project, my partner and I learned a lot about working together and being patient with a complex task. Despite the stress, we were able to complete it. This experience taught me to be more decisive and faster in my decision making. I think we spent longer on this project than we expected, and having more time could lead to even better results in the future.
User Interacting with Mid-Term Project
IMG_3267.MOVDISASSEMBLY
Figure 7 Disassembly of Mid-Term Project Images
APPENDIX
Figure 8 Final Picture of "VIDA"
Figure 9 Material List for Construction, Ciruit Building and Electronics
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Roser, Max. "Twice as Long – Life Expectancy Around the World." Our World in Data, 2018, https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy-globally. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.
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