Title
External Spine
Client
Yixuan Liu
Year
2022
Info
In nature, animals such as hedgehogs and porcupines evolve diverse defensive mechanisms, yet humans lack such inherent safeguards. Can we transmute the sense of unease into our own protection?
External Spine is a interactive social prosthesis that transforms internal emotions into a tangible shield. As nerves intensify and the heart rate rises, the External Spine activates. Similar to the quills of a hedgehog, my insecurity becomes my defensive weapon.
Exhibitions:
Stories in Motion: An Interactive Pop-Up Art Exhibit at Museum of the Moving Image ↗
Auto-Organics: Robots for a Living Earth at Grace Exhibition Space ↗
Teammate: Hong Hua
Instructor: Ofer Shouval
Tools: Neurosky Mindwave Mobile 2, Heart rate sensor, Arduino Uno, Servo motors, PLA
Section
01 | Video
Section
02 | Process
Section
03 | EEG Control
Intro
I utilized the Mindwave Mobile 2 device to gather my concentration level on a scale from 0 to 100. Then, I used Processing to receive and relay this data to Arduino. Finally, I translated this data into the angle of my spikes, with increased concentration causing the spikes to elevate further.
Section
04 | Heart Rate Control
Intro
To address the limitations of the stationary Mindwave Mobile 2 device, which requires a fixed connection to the computer and is relatively aged and unstable, I opted to replace it with a heart rate sensor. This sensor offers the advantage of mobility, allowing it to move along with the audience.
Video: Performance at Grace Exhibition Space
Performer: Alice Kazal
Section
05 | Collaboraton
Intro
Metamorphosis
Photographer: @wired_kim
Model: @isagbrowne
Creative direction: @messy_masha
Designers: @yaogeezi & @cosmic.worm
Make-up: @makeupmarisanyc
Emotional support: @lordofsus
