Playform
Fabrics, LEDs, Stepper Motors, Electronics 12’ x 12’ x 16’
Playform invites visitors to playfully interact while co-creating dynamic light forms with others. Using elements of repetition, light and motion, the sculpture takes simple materials and expressively activates the environment to create an ephemeral aesthetic experience. Through a shared interaction, the sculpture attempts to blur boundaries between personal and public space, and inspire fun, convivial moments between visitors.
As visitors wander through the artwork they discover that their presence affects the motion of the sculpture: cylinders becomes taller or shorter, and colors start to morph and animate. The motion of people, fabric and light appears as a dynamic, colorful, organic form. When no one is interacting, the sculpture moves slowly on its own.
Playform consists of multiple cylindrical fabric modules, arranged in a grid, and lit by LEDs and black-light. Each cylinder measures ~35” diameter, and weighs ~30lbs. When in motion, cylinder height ranges from roughly ~5 to 10ft. Each cylinder is suspended by steel rope, and connected to series of large size stepper motors and pulleys that control movement. Interaction is detected through capacitance sensors embedded on the floor, causing cylinders to change height and color.