week 1: introduction, computer-aided design

inspiration

When I decided to take this class and I had to start thinking about my final project my initial ideas and references were a carousel, a zoetrope and a baby doll head. Even though all of these objects somehow seem irrelevant I wanted to find a way to combine them and include this in my final project. My idea is to create an installation that would allow the user to interact with these objects. At this point I am still exploring the possibilities of how to create this installation and what materials to use. I am also thinking about how to incorporate technology into the installation to create a more immersive experience for the user. Overall, I am excited to continue exploring these ideas and see where they take me in the final project.

sketches

So based on that I started doing some research on the 3d models that are available online and potential ways that I could combine these pieces together.

At this stage, I began developing my own 3D model. Once again, my inspiration came from the zoetrope and the circular motion of the carousel. A zoetrope is an early form of animation, popular in the early 20th century, in which sequential images or figures rotate to create the illusion of movement. I sought to reinterpret this mechanism by designing multiple arms arranged in a circular formation, each moving in continuous rotation. These arms hold baby doll faces that move rhythmically around the circle, periodically stopping to act as stamps on a large white surface. Each face is coated in a different color, and together they produce a layered, dynamic composition. This is an experimental painting generated through the repetitive, mechanical motion of a “zoetrope-like” system.

Another source of inspiration is the Japanese artist Akinori Goto, known for his kinetic sculptures that merge motion, light, and time. His works often explore the relationship between movement and temporality, translating invisible rhythms into tangible, mechanical forms. I was particularly drawn to his piece Arms Move, in which delicate mechanical arms rotate in continuous circular motion, creating a mesmerizing, almost meditative visual effect. Through this repetitive movement, Goto captures the passage of time and the fragility of memory. I wanted to integrate a similar concept into my own 3D model by designing rotating arms that echo the motion of a zoetrope—transforming mechanical repetition into a visual expression of rhythm and continuity on a canvas.