Tycho
Tycho is an interactive object that mimics the shape and behaviour of the James Webb Space Telescope by capturing light with a sensor and transmitting its colour via LEDs to a mirrored hexagonal surface, where it modulates a projection sequence inspired by images of the birth and death of stars.
![Tycho_01](/img/portfolio/tycho_01.jpg)
The piece interacts with its surroundings by surveying the space and capturing light with a sensor at the apex of its antenna-like structure. The light’s colour is then transmitted via LEDs to Tycho’s mirrored hexagonal surface, where it modulates in real-time a projection sequence inspired by images of cosmic nebulae and supernovae.
![Tycho_02](/img/portfolio/tycho_02.jpg)
The delay between the capture and display of colour simulates limitations that govern actual space telescopes, whose images are produced by light that has travelled across light-years of time and space from its originating phenomena. By creating a cycle of sensory input and output, the line between the observer and the observed blurs, and a question emerges: who is the true viewer?
![Tycho_03](/img/portfolio/tycho_03.jpg)
Exhibitions
- 2020 // Digital Art Lab / hub.berlin // STATION Berlin // Berlin, Germany
- 2017 // deLight Festival // Berlin, Germany
- 2016 // Retune Festival // Berlin, Germany
- 2016 // Lacuna Lab: Activation // Spektrum // Berlin, Germany
The project was promoted on the NASA James Webb Space Telescope Facebook page .
Credits
Artistic direction // Thomas Heidtmann
Animation // Jemma Woolmore
LED/Software // Soma Holiday