REC
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis is an interactive kinetic sculpture that merges mechanical motion, projection, and sound to provoke reflection on humanity’s relationship with the environment. As visitors approach, sensors awaken the steel butterfly, its wings slowly beginning to beat. Then it gives voice to the piece, announcing real-time ecological disasters and environmental data from around the world. The audience hears the planet’s distress through the butterfly’s delicate yet mechanical form, as their presence triggers both movement and message. Projection-mapped visuals, generated from visitors’ captured faces, overlay the wings with shifting patterns that blur the boundary between human and environment. Through this sensory dialogue, Metamorphosis transforms the butterfly effect into a living system, reminding us that even the smallest human gestures can ripple outward into irreversible global change.



Mechanism & Details

The butterfly moves using four motors, two on each side, driven by an ESP32 microcontroller. Each motor uses an eccentric wheel to convert rotation into a lifelike flapping motion. When someone approaches, a distance sensor triggers the wings and activates a webcam. The captured face is processed in TouchDesigner to create real-time visuals, which are projection-mapped onto the wings. A microphone adds disaster messages, completing the immersive experience.







