Mimosa Mechanica

Mimosa Mechanica is an interactive computational-robotic artwork inspired by Mimosa pudica, translating viewer interactions into real-time digital adaptive folding responses, later physically materialized via robotic calligraphy, bridging virtual dynamism with tactile artistry.

Artwork Description/
Mimosa Mechanica is an interactive computational-robotic installation inspired by childhood experiences observing the sensitive movements of the Mimosa pudica plant. It digitally simulates the plant’s adaptive behaviors, dynamically responding to viewer interactions via a pixel-responsive interface. Unlike modern technologies and media, which often aggressively capture and exhaust human attention, this artwork intentionally creates a calm, reflective space, inviting viewers to slow down, observe, and patiently await the virtual plant's reopening. The adaptive folding responses triggered by gentle touch interactions encapsulate biological complexity and emergent dynamics. Subsequently, these ephemeral digital interactions are physically translated into robotic calligraphy, materializing transient beauty into enduring, meticulously crafted ink paintings. Similar to Marcel Duchamp's exploration of motion in Nude Descending a Staircase, these artworks capture a dynamic sequence in static form, serving as tangible records of shared moments between humans and virtual lifeforms, sparking contemplation about attention, technology, and memory in our digitized world.

Technical Description/
Mimosa Mechanica integrates interactive software, generative algorithms, and robotic fabrication. Central to its interactive system is a real-time generative algorithm built in Processing, combining fractal binary tree data structure with a cellular automata grid mechanism. This generates complex, visually intricate virtual floral forms. Each digital branch acts as an individual cell within the computational grid, dynamically reacting to viewer touch on a touchscreen interface. Touch triggers a signal propagation, mimicking leaf-folding behaviors observed in Mimosa pudica, with branches incrementally curling and reopening, completing a responsive interactive cycle. Adjustable parameters ensure diverse and nuanced visual aesthetics.

These dynamically generated visuals, recorded as vector data from audience interactions, are translated offline into robotic drawing paths using Rhino/Grasshopper software. A custom KUKA robotic system then meticulously executes these paths as expressive ink calligraphy. This robotic physicalization process transforms transient digital motion into tangible art forms, allowing viewers to explore the emergent dynamism captured permanently on paper. By seamlessly integrating software-driven generative interactivity with precise robotic artistry, Mimosa Mechanica exemplifies hybrid artistic strategies, combining ephemeral digital dynamics with enduring physical interpretation.

Artist/Director: Scottie Chih-Chieh Huang
with Collaborators/
Shih-Yuan Wang (Core Robotic Tech Developer)
and NTHU BioLogicDesign Team Members: Deng-Feng Jiang, Jie-Ke Pan

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創作概述 /
《機械含羞草》是一件互動式數位與機械整合藝術裝置，靈感源自童年時觀察含羞草敏感反應的純粹美好經驗。作品透過數位模擬含羞草的調適性行為，以觸控介面即時回應觀眾。在現代科技與媒體普遍傾向掠奪並耗損人們注意力的背景下，此作品特別設計成一個安靜、平和的互動體驗空間，鼓勵觀眾放慢節奏，細膩地觀察與等待虛擬植物重新展開的過程。觀眾輕觸螢幕所觸發的枝條收縮反應，呈現出生物學上的複雜性與突現動態之美。這些短暫數位互動隨後經由機械手臂轉譯成細緻精巧的水墨書法繪畫，如同杜象在《下樓梯的女人》中對動態的視覺探索，作品將動態序列以靜態方式捕捉並呈現，成為人與虛擬生命體間共同經驗的具體紀錄，引發觀眾對數位時代中注意力、科技與記憶的深刻反思。

技術內容 /
《機械含羞草》整合了互動軟體、生成式演算法與機械製造技術。互動系統的核心是一個以Processing開發之即時生成演算法，結合分形樹資料結構與細胞自動機網格運算機制，生成視覺豐富且複雜的虛擬花卉。每一枝條視作計算網格中的獨立細胞，透過觸控介面動態回應觀眾觸摸。觸碰事件引發訊號傳播，模擬含羞草葉片閉合行為，枝條逐步捲曲再緩慢回復，完成一個互動反應循環。可調整的參數設定，確保視覺多樣性與微妙的美感變化。

這些即時生成的視覺結果，以觀眾互動後擷取的向量資料形式記錄，再經由Rhino/Grasshopper軟體規劃機械手臂繪圖路徑。一套特製的KUKA機械臂系統隨後精確執行這些路徑，實體化成表現力豐富的水墨書法。此機械實體化過程將稍縱即逝的數位動態轉化為可觸及的藝術形式，觀眾因此得以深入體驗被永久捕捉於紙上的突現動感。《機械含羞草》藉此緊密結合數位互動生成與精確機械藝術，展現了跨界藝術策略，將轉瞬的數位動態與持久的物質化詮釋融合為一。