CONCEPT
EGO is a time-based kinetic sculpture - in our signature block form - embodying the perspectives of a human.
EGO represents the rigidness of our man-made systems and how they can become fluid or even collapse. Representing how our hopes, truths, and emotions are a direct result of the rigidness or fluidity of the mind.
A massive woven block, made of nylon fibre, controlled by motors, allowing the artists to animate and choreograph it. There has never been a block this size woven before, therefore the artists created their own weaving loom. Software based upon a custom algorythm were developed to allow a puppeteer to control each and every movement of the block. Transforming between natural and non-natural states, it gives the viewer a sense of perspective that they can relate to, but also shows its vulnerability at the same time. A seemingly rigid shape expressing feelings and emotions, strengths and weaknesses of human perspectives. Materials: nylon fibre, dyneema, motors, aluminum, software
Development: 2020

CONTEXT OF USE
EGO embodies a bridge between performance art and installations. The sculpture can serve both as an autonomous artwork or immersed into an interactive performance.
As of now, EGO was part of an opera performance (L’Orfeo by the Dutch Travel Opera) and showcased in an exhibition (PACE New York, March 2020). A 2D model is currently being developed, alongside an outdoor piece.

CHOREOGRAPHY
With the kinetic and site specific sculpture EGO, DRIFT reconstructs the relationship between viewer and artwork. The work interacts not only with the world around, but with itself.
With a transforming sculpture performing as a soloist, DRIFT interprets human’s inner perspective. EGO; a block made out of thin nylon fibre thread, represents the rigidness of our human systems.
The block is coordinated by eight industrial motors that control the thread tension enabling the sculpture’s movement. In order to evoke movement, the motors respond to a special algorithm responsible for calculating the relationship between the movements of the eight motors. This was especially developed so that the sculpture can perform alongside music and dance, creating a choreography of fragility. It allows the piece to appear either really rigid or very loose, portraying a much wider range of emotions.
Each block showcases an individual performance. The algorithm determines the correct position for the motors, but the interaction between space and materials can’t be controlled. The weight of the block can vary based on the choice of materials.