{"id":25204,"date":"2022-03-13T10:20:37","date_gmt":"2022-03-13T09:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/?p=25204"},"modified":"2022-07-11T14:44:27","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T13:44:27","slug":"how-we-built-fluidum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/","title":{"rendered":"How the kinetic sculpture Fluidum was built"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In 2021, I designed and, in collaboration with PrusaLab, built the kinetic sculpture <a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/projects\/fluidum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fluidum<\/a> \u2014 a permanent addition to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.czexpo.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Czech pavilion at Dubai EXPO 2020<\/a>. In today&#8217;s article, I would like to present its artistic concept, as well as share some technical insights. You will find out what technologies it&#8217;s based on, and how we actually managed to produce it in record time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Fluidum \u2014 Made in PrusaLab\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OAmchfmkPJQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-b94292d3 gb-headline-text\">The artistic concept<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>A bit of artistic lingo first. The kinetic sculpture Fluidum represents a vertical water surface. It consists of 85 robotically controlled mirrors arranged in a strictly geometric pattern. Its main theme is embodied by the viewer and their reflection, which hypnotically ripples, morphs, and flows. The image of reality disintegrates into individual fragments, which the sculpture mixes, transforms, and puts into new, unexpected contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/fluidumWebSlider-1.jpeg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"668\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/fluidumWebSlider-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/fluidumWebSlider-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/fluidumWebSlider-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/fluidumWebSlider-1-768x513.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Fluidum in the Czech pavilion at Dubai EXPO 2020<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When conceptualizing Fluidum, I was inspired by the experience of the prehistoric man gazing in wonder at the surface of the water in which he sees himself for the first time. It thus offers a parallel to the technology-laden present in which it is increasingly difficult to stop, think deeply and ask: &#8220;Who am I? Where am I going?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-9fa86feb gb-headline-text\">The next step in evolution<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The art piece is a continuation of the successful <a href=\"\/?page_id=17053\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reflexion<\/a> installation from 2019. The preceding idea was awarded first place in the Signal Calling open call, which PrusaLab organizes every year together with the Prague <a href=\"https:\/\/www.signalfestival.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Signal Festival<\/a> (by the way, Czech-based artists can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.signalfestival.com\/signal-calling-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">apply for this year&#8217;s edition<\/a> of the festival until the end of March). Back then, I applied together with my friend and colleague <a href=\"https:\/\/vjemy.cz\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adam Cigler<\/a>. The result, which we also built in PrusaLab, was an installation that was visited by almost 70,000 people at the festival that year. Reflexion is touring audiovisual art festivals around the world to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Reflexe \u2014 dokument o vzniku instalace\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KcE5nkueU-w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike Reflexion, however, Fluidum opens up a third dimension of movement of the mirrors towards the observer, making it possible to create a real mirror wave and pushing the boundaries of the viewer&#8217;s experience to a more intimate level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like Reflexion though, Fluidum was developed in collaboration with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prusa3d.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prusa Research<\/a> in PrusaLab. This FabLab\/prototyping workshop hybrid may as well be presented as a kind of a 21st-century art studio that allows for the creation of such complex works, exploring a new, appealing aesthetic augmented by digital technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-0989083f gb-headline-text\">Fluidum&#8217;s kinematic concept<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The basic building block of the installation is the so-called kinetic module with one mirror mounted on a platform moveable in three directions: the mirror can go sideways, up and down, and lift. In order to keep the whole art piece as thin as possible, we opted for the so-called Stewart platform as opposed to a linear actuator. This allows the individual mirrors to be controlled by the coordinated movement of three motorised joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay controls muted src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek1.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to this special approach to the platform design, which is, by the way, also utilised by the James Webb Telescope, the art piece is nearly 15 centimetres thick by default, but also manages to extend the mirrors by another 22 centimetres forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-3364b667 gb-headline-text\">Let&#8217;s get to work!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>We had less than four months to build the whole thing, including prototyping the kinetic module, designing the electronics, circuit board, firmware, and finally testing and shipping it to Dubai. The beginning of the building process was a great example of <a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/rapid-prototyping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rapid prototyping<\/a>. Several prototypes were 3D printed at PrusaLab&#8217;s 3D printing farm, which allowed us to iterate the design daily. Not all parts were suitable for 3D printing, so it was necessary to secure suppliers of CNC cut aluminium, special ball studs, or find a subcontactor that would take care of the anodic coating, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek8.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek8-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek8-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek8-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek8-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek8-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek8-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek8.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>This is what the modules look like without a mirror attached<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The design of each module consists of a 3D printed chassis and a 3D printed platform with a mirror attached. The chassis and the platform are connected to each other by three motorised articulated joints made from laser-cut aluminium, connected on one side by a hinge and on the other side by a ball-and-socket joint allowing the mirror to tilt in all directions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-3c78be79\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-796aefb8\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-796aefb8\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek5.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek5-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek5-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek5-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek5-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek5-1600x900.png 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek5-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek5.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Aluminium joints<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-7568972a\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-7568972a\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek4-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek4-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Each of the modules was hand assembled<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The individual modules are then attached to a supporting structure made of CNC-cut aluminium sheets.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-cc9aab77\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-ff32ebfe\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-ff32ebfe\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek3-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24949\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek3-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>We built extra modules just to be sure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-8fd27b5d\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-8fd27b5d\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek2-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The supporting structure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In order to make the mirror movement as smooth as possible, it is necessary to constantly synchronise the movement of all three motors in each of the 85 modules. Therefore, under each mirror there is a custom-designed printed circuit, at the heart of which is an ESP microcomputer that calculates a rather complex kinematic equation that converts the mirror position into motor position data. A major innovation lies in the servomotors used, which allow for serial communication via a half-duplex <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Universal_asynchronous_receiver-transmitter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UART<\/a> bus. With this setup, the control computer is able to receive information from the motors about their current position, load or temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek7.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek7-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek7-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek7-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek7-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek7-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek7-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek7.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Our custom-made PCB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The individual modules are connected via <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/CAN_bus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CAN bus<\/a> to the control computer, which constantly feeds them with new data about the mirror positions. The power supply consists of eighteen 12V power supplies. Thanks to our custom-designed firmware, it is possible, for example, to update the system in all 85 modules at once. Or to connect remotely using a web application with a simple user interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25006\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek6-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek6-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek6-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek6.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>I first sketched the wiring diagram on paper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The printed circuit was designed by the experienced electrospecialist <a href=\"https:\/\/maker.matejsuchanek.cz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mat\u011bj Such\u00e1nek<\/a> in just two iterations. Although the lack of microchips and the overall lack of material on the market proved a bigger concern. Eventually, however, we were able to get everything or replace the missing parts with others, and so production was in full swing less than two months before the World Expo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To assemble one module means to assemble 63 components, to screw 105 screws or to fit a printed circuit with 10 components. All of that 85 times. Still, we had twelve hours to assemble and run all the mirrors at once for the first time before packing them into a shipping pallet. The tension in the air during the final (and first) test was almost palpable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek11-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek11-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek11-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek11-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek11-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek11-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek11.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The final testing went well, so there was time for photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-ec957bb8 gb-headline-text\">Let&#8217;s go to Dubai!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Reflexion, designed for the demanding conditions of European light art festivals, is transported by the largest van. Fluidum, however, can be packed into one standard Euro pallet for air transport. Because that was the easiest way to haul it to Dubai from the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Czech pavilion, where the sculpture is located, construction work was still underway two weeks before the opening. Among the hustle and bustle of workers from Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a two-person team of the author and the programmer began to attach the 300-kilogram mirror structure to the wall. Thanks to the cleverly designed magnetic pins, we could wait until just before the opening to mount the mirrors, thus avoiding the risk of them getting dirty or breaking during construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek12-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek12-1024x439.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek12-1024x439.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek12-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek12-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek12-1600x685.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek12-1536x658.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek12-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Fluidum is located next to the new Prusa Pro AFS automated 3D printing farm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although we flew to Dubai well prepared, we needed to finish the firmware on the spot. More importantly, we needed to add protective features to prevent power failure or remote overtaking. And, to not forget, we made a panic stop button \ud83d\ude05. Finally, I programmed the movement choreography of the mirrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-e5b25ccc gb-headline-text\">Six months later<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Fluidum operates seven days a week, twelve hours a day during the exhibition. Visitors are captivated from afar by the mysterious whirring of the servo motors, which not coincidentally resembles the tide. The unexpected transformations of the reflections in the mirror are interspersed with moments of dramatic stillness, when the mirrors do not move. Often the audience starts waving their hands, dancing and making all sorts of gestures in front of the mirrors. In fact, in today&#8217;s technological world there is a huge amount of interactivity, products and art that react to humans through various sensors. But in the case of Fluidum, which contains a pre-recorded choreography of mirrors, it is exactly the opposite \u2014 the visitor becomes the interactive element of the whole piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video autoplay controls loop muted src=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/reflexeClanek13.m4v\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-e0cd409f gb-headline-text\">It is impossible to count how many viewers have already photographed or filmed their reflection in these moving mirrors. What is certain, however, is that this technicist sculpture will captivate everyone with its uniqueness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have read this far, you might be interested in my other projects. You can find them at <a href=\"https:\/\/petrvacek.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">petrvacek.com<\/a> or on my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/_petrvacek\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram account<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":23764,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-case-studies","infinite-scroll-item","masonry-post","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50","resize-featured-image"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/fluidumWebSlider-3.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Petr Vacek","author_link":"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/author\/petr-vacek\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How the kinetic sculpture Fluidum was built - PrusaLab<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How the kinetic sculpture Fluidum was built - PrusaLab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PrusaLab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PrusaLab\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-03-13T09:20:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-07-11T13:44:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/fluidumWebSlider-3.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Petr Vacek\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Petr Vacek\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Petr Vacek\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/#\/schema\/person\/34b2546531b1826302e4ab01ce97e7c7\"},\"headline\":\"How the kinetic sculpture Fluidum was built\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-03-13T09:20:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-07-11T13:44:27+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/\"},\"wordCount\":1445,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Case study\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/\",\"name\":\"How the kinetic sculpture Fluidum was built - PrusaLab\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-03-13T09:20:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-07-11T13:44:27+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/blog\/how-we-built-fluidum\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"PrusaLab.cz\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How the kinetic sculpture Fluidum was built\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/prusalab.cz\/\",\"name\":\"PrusaLab\",\"description\":\"Prototypov\u00e1 d\u00edlna &amp; 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