Vortical Filament

Check out this art project

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Today we have a project that is maybe not so high on the electronics quotient but is high on the "that's neat looking" factor. Today is a perfect example of such a project. In fact, if you have an Arduino, a motor, and know a bit about pulse-width modulation, you could create this in your own home. Maybe you should! Check it out: Vortical Filament.

This project from Patrick Harrop is pretty simple but creates some stunning visuals. Patrick attached pieces of string to a motor that is controlled via an Arduino. Using PWM, Patrick varies the speed the string spins and creates some cool "electro-art." The video seen above was taken at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. While this project certainly isn't heavy on the electronics, there is definitely something to be said for the fusion of electronics and art. We dig it. Nice work, Patrick!


Comments 30 comments

  • sgrace / about 13 years ago / 5

    Don't know if I would want string like that to be dancing around on my ceiling makin' that much noise. Plus, if you have a cat, you're in trouble...

    • Sleepwalker3 / about 13 years ago * / 2

      Trouble, what trouble? Just replace the string with the cat's tail :D

      (ok, just kidding, don't want everybody flaming me! - Actually, Robert started it with "Kill the puppies", now it's "Twirl the cat" on the menu)

  • Member #185371 / about 13 years ago / 3

    This might look really awesome if that string was EL wire and the lights were turned out.

    • Make it happen!

      • sgrace / about 13 years ago / 1

        I wouldn't trust putting EL Wire on a spinning motor. Mainly because you can run into the issue of the wire getting tangled up, unless you run it via a battery, but that would cause issues with the motor... So...

        • Eric15 / about 13 years ago / 3

          Either put all of the elctronics (including battery) on the rotating part, and control it wirelessly, or use a slip ring to pass signals. Ladyada did a slip ring tutorial/teardown video not long ago.

        • Yeah, valid points. But I'm also sure it's not impossible.

  • Oladon / about 13 years ago / 3

    "Vortical" is just so much fun to say.

  • amarsbar / about 13 years ago / 3

    Wow, spinning string... Not sure on the noise either...

  • Hmmm / about 13 years ago / 1

    "Arduino, just for blog cred"

    https://xkcd.com/730/

    It doesn't have to actually do anything. Just put it in your circuit somewhere and you'll get a lot of free publicity.

  • Matt Amacker / about 13 years ago / 1

    This inspired me to make one for my boys. Thanks!

    I just finished and they are having all kinds of fun experimenting with rotation speed. I added a strobe to it, so they've been playing with the strobe speed and the rotation speed for nifty effects.

    Its really cool - and educational.

    • Just saw this comment now, but awesome! This is precisely why I posted this project - in hopes of inspiring someone, even just one person. Great work!

  • TheRobberDotCom / about 13 years ago / 1

    Similar in some ways to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=s2uY-CVyuX8#t=64s . My dad has been involved in making some of Len Lye's other works.

  • floppypond / about 13 years ago / 1

    Hey, that's my local art gallery!

  • dustinandrews / about 13 years ago / 1

    Seems like you could vary the motors to create music pretty easily.

    • Xoto18 / about 13 years ago / 1

      You might be able to use the Arduino's tone function, I think... None of it would be in tune, but it would all just be relative to the other motors.

      • war_spigot / about 13 years ago / 1

        I never though about using tone for motors, that'd be pretty cool. I think I'm going to have to try that.

  • Protocol / about 13 years ago / 1

    I have a feeling that the noise is coming from the fact that he is using stepper motors. If you were to use a regular motor and just vary the current to it you could achieve the same effects, although not as controllably.

    • SomeGuy123 / about 13 years ago * / 2

      Or, you could use PWM to change the motor speeds.

  • Nomad / about 13 years ago / 1

    I like it, would be interesting to add some strobes.

  • padvinder95 / about 13 years ago / 1

    :) Nice installation, although the noise is indeed a bit loud.

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