Take Control
A Generative Art Installation
Take Control is a generative art installation piece that the viewer interacts with to create colorful geometric patterns. Coded in Processing an Arduino, the dials and sliders of the control panel allow the viewer to change the variables of the geometric pattern. The spiraling displays are mesmerizing and being able to interact with the art, creating your own unique shape captivated the viewer with a memorable experience.
Take Control In Action
Watch as a friend of mine plays with the controller to manipulate the display. As one of the few times I got to see my own project in full form, I really enjoyed seeing people try and figure out the controls I had wired. I hadn’t labeled them at all, allowing people to use trial and error to make sense of the shifting patterns and swirls.
The Story
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The Idea.
Take Control went through many struggles and frustrations before becoming its final form. The initial idea was to create a program controlled by a series of sliding controls than at the click of a button would generate a geometric pattern that would then be drawn by a plotter.
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The Trouble.
I had all these aspirations about finding fun paper and weird ink for a fountain pen to really play into the physical aspect of this project. Unfortunately, I did not have the experience or resources to be able to write code that worked directly between Processing and our Axi-draw Plotter.
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The Pivot.
So, I decided to pivot. I instead focused on creating code that generated an interesting spiral and had enough variables that could be manipulated in a fun way. I continued with the plan to create a small switchboard of sliders for the viewer to manipulate and wired up a breadboard full of freshly purchased hardware. I planned to project the project on the wall of our little student gallery and wrapped my switchboard like a little present so you wouldn't have to dodge wires to play with the display.
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The Result.
It honestly turned out better than I could have hoped when I realized half way through the semester that I had to start over. It was a wild ride.
