Lungs

Brief

Brief

This Arduino piece would primarily use a photo-resistor for input and a servo motor for output as the main functioning components. The main idea is for the servo motor to control two pantograph-like structures. With the servo movements and the outer covering (either a fabric or paper for movement) should look and move similar to that of how lungs function and ideally be convincing that the piece looks like it is breathing.

The piece would probably do best in a dim room with a harsh light aimed at it either from the floor or the ceiling depending on the gallery space, this way the photo-resistor would have some extreme variable range for when people walk up to the piece and interrupt the light being sensed. When the photo-resistor is triggered by the lack of light when people walk up the servo will change its breathing like movements to quicker shorter movements.

Extra Considerations

Originally I thought to have red LEDs inside of the lung like pieces that would light up when someone is near along with having speakers to play a shepard tone to add extra intensity, however I believe that the piece without these “theatrical elements” would be more effective in representing that panic attacks are not always easily recognized.

Backstory

The idea for this concept came after a discussion I had with my girlfriend the day after she had a panic attack and described to me what it felt like. What shocked me most was that when it was happening I had not recognized it as one and thought a lot about how such a severe internal feeling can be easy to miss from the outside.

Pictures