Using Arduino Mega, 15 servomotors, Raspberry Pi, Pure Data, Electric Paint and donated Pez dispensers, Xavi Sole Mora has created a unique re-imagining of Goya’s sketch ‘Qué pico de oro!‘ (What a Golden Beak). The parrots represent the screen constructed by political bodies to obstruct the mechanics of government from public view. Mora’s research and experimentation is extensive, and can be seen in full on his excellent blog.
Please scroll to the end of this page to view the parrots being activated by capacitive touch sensors, made with Electric Paint!
Los Caprichos is a satiric series of etchings in which Goya reflects on Spanish society of the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries. My work reviews Goya’s thoughts in an updated and contemporary version. A dream-like story explained through wit: from politics to friendship, from religion to economy, from hunger to love.
The Gift of the Gab is based on the etching called “Qué pico de oro!” (What a golden beak : The gift of the gab). A bunch of babbling parrots, a smokescreen created to distract attention on what happens behind the scenes, where hidden characters guard the wires and mechanisms of this theatrical show.
To the left are some sketches and early stages of the project.
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I wanted to be able to press conductive pads to trigger one MP3 and move a servo at the same time, with the possibility of triggering more than 1 key/sound together. I tested Electric Paint to use as a capacitive sensor, and ended up using it to connect to the Arduino, which makes the servos move.
The Raspberry Pi is linked to the Arduino in order to provide the sounds through Pure Data.
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The private view of Gift of the Gab was at Camberwell College of Arts, and the piece was also displayed at the opening of Fish Island Labs. This opening was attended by the Duke of York!
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