Things are looking up.

In keeping with the idea of the permeable surface transforming into the solid surface, and then applying my new thoughts on motors v. solenoids and those strange re-occuring birds, a strange idea developed.


By suspending the mechanisms - without a supporting framework, that sense of "shutters" is lost. The mechanisms dangle and drift about according to local air currents. When the mechanisms are activated, they begin to open and interact with eachother. Once they are fully open, the loose arangement dissapears and the mechainisms force themselves into a rigid matrix based on the geometry of the individual peices - very simmilar to a crystalization process.

What triggers the mechanisms is particulairly intresting...
As the interaction of the individual mechanisms when triggered is important, perhaps the relaxed state can also influence the actions of the installation. Following the idea of air currents, using strands [switches] within the suspended parts that jostle about and switch the mechanisms on and off - check out Gorretti's blog to see some of these strands at work with her lighting circuits. Once the mechanism is fully open however, connections or switches on the rigid mechanism would interact with the same switches on another rigid mechanism and engage a closing sequence.
The effect would be a surface that is constantly opening and closing [almost breathing] through a combination of air currents and interaction of parts.

I recognise this as an incredibly complex undertaking - most definitly something to be accomplished after christmas, but I feel it is important to project possiblilites. In the immediate future, I would like to create a few working mechanisms, with a much simpler sensor input for the time being. This involves finding motors / suitable worm gears, and then some intensive time on the laser cutter.