Featured in the atrium and foyer of the building are the art pieces Three Medusae and Sisyphus, both created by artist Bruce Shapiro.
"I believe that motion control is a new art medium." says Shapiro, reflecting on his work.
Three Medusae are 15-foot suspended ball-chain fixtures. (Watch video below.) Each is driven by a motor that propels the chains outward through centrifugal force. Unique patterns can be created by programming the motors — via Raspberry Pi computers — to rotate at different speeds at precisely defined intervals. For synchronization, one Medusa is designated as the “conductor,” relaying instructions to the other two.
The Medusae also feature an illumination system that uses digital multiplex controllers to highlight the chains in the evening. This was developed in coordination with Michael Horejsi, an assistant professor clinical in the Department of Theatre. Horejsi provided critical advice and personally programmed the lightning fixtures. Moreover, it presents a natural opportunity for theatre students to learn about lighting systems.
Video credit: David Kale
Sisyphus, named after the mythological King of Ephyra and his eternal struggle with a boulder, is a kinetic sand display. The piece was inspired by the idea of a robotic Zen garden. A steel ball, moved by a two-motor robot with a magnetic attachment, carves intricate patterns on a bed of sand. Like Three Medusae, Sisyphus can be programmed to create custom patterns.
Through this programming, “there’s essentially an infinite number of possibilities,” said Shapiro. The only limit is human creativity, and a bit of patience in finding the ultimate design. (Watch video of Sysyphus below.)
Video credit: David Kale
Both machines operate using a control system akin to a music player, as described by Shapiro: a Medusa “track” defines speed variations and loops repeatedly. When switching between tracks, a “fade transition” creates a blended progression. The Raspberry Pi stores track plays and transition behaviors. Sisyphus uses a similar track-based system, with the option to activate “shuffle mode” for its playlists.
The control systems are governed by Node.js programs and support user interfaces on both mobile and desktop platforms. This allows users to upload their own tracks, design playlists, and set behaviors for different times of day.
Meet the Artist
Bruce Shapiro
Shapiro grew up with interests in science, music, electronics. He initially pursued a career in medicine, participating in hospital research. It was in this role that he was introduced to IBM-compatible computers. Their modularity and accessibility gave him a platform to experiment with voltage timings, stepper motors, and BASIC programming. This led to his first creation: the EggBot—a stepper motor-driven apparatus that draws intricate patterns on eggs. From that point on, he realized his passion for the scientific and design challenges found in the intersection of art and technology. He retired from medicine and began working with DIY CNC machines, eventually establishing a career in motion control art. His work has since been featured around the world.
Bruce Shapiro's work is the newest addition to the Utah Public Art Collection, which was established in 1985 through the Percent-For-Art Act. This program utilizes 1% of legislative appropriations for Capital Development projects to commission, install, and maintain public artwork across the State of Utah. The Utah Public Art Program is managed through the Utah Division of Arts and Museums (est.1899), which holds the distinction of being our nation's first state arts and culture agency.
All artworks commissioned through the Utah Public Art Program are selected by a unique Committee, comprising State Project Managers, Architects, Community members, leaders, visual arts specialists, and primary users associated with the artwork location. The stated goal is to provide and maintain artwork that represents Utah's many vibrant communities and interests.