Futilium
Our multidisciplinary team needed to create a kinetic sculpture blending engineering precision with artistic expression while maintaining sustainable practices. We were inspired by Theo Janssen's 'Strandbeest', and we designed and built 'Futilium' as a new evolution.
Multidisciplinary
Mechanical Design
Kinetic Art Sculpture
(Visual) Storytelling
Project Overview
Project: Futilium, a kinetic art sculpture
Context: Academic project, Engineering Art
Industry: Kinetic Sculpture, Sustainable Art
Timeline: 8 weeks (2024)
My Role: Design Process Lead, Researcher and CMF Design
Our multidisciplinary team needed to create a kinetic sculpture blending engineering precision with artistic expression while maintaining sustainable practices. We were inspired by Theo Janssen's 'Strandbeest', and we designed and built 'Futilium' as a new evolution of these creatures - a wind-powered silk moth sculpture that comments on humanity's exploitative relationship with nature through bioluminescent algae and futile creation mechanisms.
Design Solution
We developed a multi-component kinetic sculpture that combines:
Bio-inspired Mechanics: Theo Jansen linkage system optimized through MATLAB modeling for fluid movement
Sustainable Materiality: 3D-printed PLA components, repurposed fabrics, and upcycled materials for all aesthetic elements
Symbolic Systems: Bioluminescent algae cultivation representing fragile life forces and a separate knitting machine demonstrating futile creation
Integrated Aesthetics: Embroidery, textile work, and structural design creating a cohesive silk moth visual identity
The completed sculpture successfully demonstrated wind-powered locomotion while provoking philosophical discussions about purpose and exploitation, achieving both technical functionality and deep conceptual resonance through its carefully integrated components.
