2008
mirrored acrylic plate, metallic structure, ultrasonic sensor, logical control system (PLC)
Mirror is an interactive optic device, designed to distort a mirror on the z-axis from the point of an observer’s relative distance.
Imagine an optical device with a sensory field of 8 meters to 60 centimeters. Fixed to the wall, this mirror is programmed to constantly measure and react to your distance from it. At 8 meters it will be convex, at 60 centimeters it will be concave and, using a co-efficient of average distortion in centimeters, it will assume, in function of the distance parameters that you generate, intermediary positions from one extreme to another passing (of course) through the plane position. Thus, all of the shapes reflected on the device, that is, your reflection and the reflection of the space in which you are, will begin to distort proportionately. You and the physical space around you, reflected in this Mirror, will pass through dynamic spherical distortions, that increase or decrease, in function of your distance from it.
The device is composed of a mirrored surface framed by a white metallic structure measuring 1.20 x 1.50 x 0.125 meters. On the inferior side of the metallic frame there is an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor sensory field is programmable between 8 meters, the maximum distance, and 60 centimeters, the minimum distance, and its functions are to calculate and inform, in ms (milliseconds), the distance between the interactor and the device. In the interior of the frame, behind the mirror, there is a programmable logical controller, a stepper motor and a robotic arm. The programmable logical controller (PLC) is a processing interface. Its function is to set the stepper motor in motion in function of the positional parameters captured by the ultrasonic sensor. When, how and for how long the motor remains in motion, depends on a script codified in the PLC. The action of the motor sets the mechanism of the robotic arm in motion. This mechanism is designed to displace the mirrored surface on the z-axis. The direction of the force applied on Z is dynamic. That is, the robotic arm, in function of the parameters captured by the sensor, pulls or pushes the mirror. Composed of a worm gear (“joint”), a lever (“arm”) and a claw (“a 6-fingered flattened hand”), all of the actions of this mechanism occur, principally, in the center of the mirrored surface. Through the 6 contact points, the arm produces optical distortions closely relating spherical aberrations.
The objectives of Mirror are to research and develop human-physical space kinetic interfaces.
special effects technician: Guilherme Steger
welding technician: Almir Viana PLC programmer: Francisco Deodato
support: Schneider Electric Brasil Ltda. - Division Action and Sense Eletronics Ltd.