Created by Timon Bohn, Garden of Forking Paths is an installation comprised of a matrix of custom printed circuit boards that make use of the physical connection between electrical resistance and heat.
Designed algorithmically, the dendritic maze reproduces naturally occurring structures, reminding of meandering rivers or winding surfaces found in organic life. In this delicate negotiation, proximity, distance and the length of the maze’s paths are carefully balanced in order to result in electrical resistance and heat. On the other side, a thermochromic surface blocks the view in colder areas, while allowing for a deeper glance into the maze where heat opens a window. The result is a fluid display that reveals and hides, transforms constantly and invites contemplation on growth and entanglement.
The dendritic maze pattern on the PCBs was created with the help of Jason Webb’s Differential Growth experiments in the p5.js. For the installation, Pulse Width Modulation is used, in order to have a more nuanced control over the heat dissipation. Hardware/Software also includes Arduino Uno, PCA9685 ics, and the Adafruit PWM Servo Driver Library.
Photos & Videos: Nevena Savić, Wang Dong Han
