Origami Resonance: a Responsive Art Installation Embracing the Human Heart-Space

This project is created as a course assignment at the California State University, Long Beach; taught by Behnaz Farahi: DESN 586 Human Experience and Embodied Interactions Studio.

Project Overview

Origami Resonance is an interactive and dynamic art installation designed to embrace the heart-space of its participants, providing a nurturing environment tailored to their unique emotional landscape. Combining the elegance of traditional origami craftsmanship with engaging technology, this project creates a symbiosis of art and empathy, offering a supportive and adaptive experience that mirrors the intricate complexities of the human heart-space.

As participants engage with Origami Resonance, they share their current heart-space, which in turn informs the behavior of the installation. The origami elements transform in response to the individual's heart-space, reflecting a diverse range of emotions and experiences. For example, when a person's heart-space resonates with joy, the installation rises and becomes animated, capturing the vibrant energy of happiness. Conversely, when a participant's heart-space embodies tiredness or anxiety, the origami pieces move gently, offering a calming and tranquil presence.

This interactive installation not only adapts to the heart-space of its participants but also seeks to provide comfort and uplift those in need. When an individual's heart-space reflects feelings of sadness or a need for support, the origami sculptures become more animated and stand taller, creating an uplifting atmosphere designed to inspire and bolster the spirit.

Origami Resonance exemplifies the power of art to connect with our heart-space and create a safe haven for emotional expression. The harmonious blend of delicate origami elements and responsive technology results in a deeply personal experience that embraces the emotional journey of each participant. By bridging the gap between art and empathy, Origami Resonance fosters a sense of unity and understanding, encapsulating the transformative potential of human connection through artistic expression that resonates with the heart-space of the viewer.

Case Studies

• The Pulse Room by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's immersive installation, the Pulse Room, engages visitors in a multisensory experience, urging them to record their pulse using a sensor located in a secluded corner of the room. This pulse is then communicated to a light bulb that illuminates and pulsates in harmony with the rhythm of the visitor's heartbeat. As more individuals participate, the remnants of earlier heartbeats journey further across the grid, creating a poignant image of shared humanity that is simultaneously communal and anonymous.
• Beyond Surface by Kody Kato: "Beyond Surface" is a captivating installation by architect Kody Kato that was featured during London Crafts Week 2018. This extraordinary installation, created in partnership with Made Thought, uses Takeo paper to explore the qualities of folding and strength. Techniques implemented during its creation yielded tetrahedra reminiscent of the traditional Sonobe method, serving as a tribute to Mitsunobu. The resulting form diverges from strict geometric conventions, adopting a shape that appears more organic and surprising.

• Arduino Uno
• 2 continuous rotation servo motors
• 40 cm x 40 cm origami paper (you may choose your own size too)
• Double-sided tape
• Nine 2 in. x 4 in. x 6 ft. wood studs
• White twine and white sewing thread
• Jumper wires
• USB cable for Arduino
• Screwdriver and screws
• Hammer and nails (if needed)
• Wood glue (if needed)
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Saw (if needed)
• Eight 4 in. corner braces

• Arduino Uno
• 2 continuous rotation servo motors
• 40 cm x 40 cm origami paper
• Nine 2 in. x 4 in. x 6 ft. wood studs
• White twine and white sewing thread
• Jumper wires
• USB cable for Arduino
• Screwdriver and screws
• Hammer and nails (if needed)
• Wood glue (if needed)
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Saw (if needed)
• Eight 4 in. corner braces

1. Measure and cut the wood studs into the desired dimensions for your frame.
2. I created a simple Pergola frame structure, as pictured above.
3. Assemble the wooden frame by attaching the corners with wood glue, screws, and corner braces.
4. I added corner braces to each corner where the studs met.
5. Reinforce the frame with additional studs as needed, attaching them with wood glue, screws, and corner braces.

1. Create sonobe origami units.
2. Fold the 40 cm x 40 cm origami paper into the sonobe units.
3. Form pyramids from the individual sonobe origami units.
4. Use double-sided tape to reinforce the sonobe units. Place the double-sided tape in between the folded layers of paper.
5. For a more detailed tutorial on how to fold the units, you may watch this video.
6. For a tutorial on how to create a pyramid, you may watch this video.
7. This video shows how to create a 30-unit structure. For this project, I only created a pyramid.
8. To create additional pyramids, you will need to use the outer flaps. See the pictures above.
9. For example, grab one flap from an existing pyramid, fold in a sonobe unit and then fold in another sonobe unit. You should now be able to form a pyramid again. Repeat that process over and over.

• Tie twine through two/three sonobe units.You may choose the length of the twine to your liking. The longer the twine is, the lower the origami blanket will hang.
• Be careful in transporting the origami blanket onto the wooden frame. You may need two or more people to help you hang the origami structure.
• Before you tie the twine onto the wooden frame, hold the twine around different parts of the frame in order to see how you would like the structure to hang.
• Tie the other end of the twine onto the wooden frame. You may tie it on the wooden frame wherever you would like.

1. Connect the Arduino Uno to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Write a program that interprets the emotional input from participants and translates it into corresponding movements for the servo motors. The file that I created is attached to this step.
3. Upload the program to the Arduino Uno.

1. Connect the servo motors to the Arduino Uno using jumper wires, following the appropriate pin connections for your specific servo model.
2. In the pictures above, there are 4 servos connected to the Arduino. You can easily remove one or two if you prefer to use less.
3. In the schematic above, there is only 1 servo connected to the Arduino, but if you wish to add more, the connection setup is the same.
4. For more information, please click here.
5. Securely mount the two continuous rotation servo motors to the wooden frame, ensuring that they are evenly spaced and can move freely.

1. Tie the twine from your selected sonobe units to the servo motor arms, ensuring that the pieces can move freely without tangling.
2. Adjust the length of the twine as necessary, allowing for the desired range of motion for each origami piece.

1. Test the installation by providing different emotional inputs to the Arduino Uno, ensuring that the origami elements move accordingly and that the servo motors function properly.
2. Make any necessary adjustments to the origami element positioning, twine length, or servo motor programming.
3. Once the installation is functioning as intended, securely mount the wooden frame to the desired location, and enjoy your interactive Origami Resonance art installation!