Maker Faire Bay Area 2023
RayLights - Audio Activated Lumiere
Home: California, United States
This dynamic artwork produces ever-changing, mandala-like light patterns that are activated by ambient sounds. The fluctuating, animated light rays range from intense spectral colors to subtle pastels. A sequence of patterns repeats, but when you make sound—talk, sing, clap—the preprogrammed patterns are modified as the lights respond with non-repeating, complex variations of the colors and patterns.
Additional Project Photos
Maker
Craig Newswanger
Craig Newswanger (Resonance Studio) is an optical engineering innovator, inventor, and expert in optical holography and 3-D imaging technologies. He has designed and produced projects in lighting, sound, imaging, electronics and wood working.
http://www.resonancestudio.comWhat Inspired You to Make This?
I have always been fascinated by symmetry in patterns like epicycloids. My work in optics and light-field imaging led to the Raylight. A diagram I used to describe an aspect of the light-field concept inspired the raylights overlapping ray patterns. My pattern and geometric interests also inspired a number of drawing machines where pens trace out complex patterns on paper. I'll be showing two versions of the Wondergraph drawing machines which will be available for use by guests at the Maker Faire. A few pulleys and belts produce a very satisfying experience. I have made these machines for the Science Mill in Johnson City Texas and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. You can take home the results of your experience with the Wondergraph!
