Crystal Interfaces¶
Crystal interfaces allows our body to feel what it is like to be a crystal. It is an empathetic wearable that magnifies the aggregated structure and vibrations of the crystal.
Conductive crystals were grown using Epson salt and conductive paint to create crystal interfaces. These crystals create fractalized forms adding a new dimension to interfaces. These interfaces can be dissolved and regrown as their technological purpose evolves.
Crystal Interfaces uses a conductive crystal to trigger a vibration motor. As the crystal is approached, the entire structure begins to vibrate. Mirroring the vibrations happening on the micro level of the crystal. The structure of Crystal Interfaces was printed out of flexible material on a Gigabot Printer.
This flexible material allows for vibrations to travel throughout the structure. This piece was designed in Rhino and Grasshopper using the Wasp plugin.
Process¶
To grow conductive interfaces I grew conductive crystals using Epson salt and conductive paint and water. I boiled water and added as much Epson salt as possible to the mixture until no more salt could dissolve in the mixture. I then added conductive paint, until the mixture was a rich black color. After cooking, I left the crystals to rest in jars and containers. After leaving the mixture for a few days I came back to beautiful conductive crystals.
I did multiple crystal studies and found that the slower the water evaporated, the larger the crystals would form. My most successful crystals were left in the oven while it was turned off overnight. This allowed the crystals to evaporate very slowly and create large forms.
Once I had my crystals made, I turned each crystal into a capacitive touch sensor.
