Oculus is an interactive art installation inspired by the motion of the Iris in the eye. The petals of fragments forming the Iris are imagined as highly reflective mirror. Like the chrome surfaces in its equilibrium, the oculus reflects the surroundings. What could have been the reflections of the individual walking past it are disrupted by his own presence, thus drawing the reflections as twisted and turned. Patterns of individual(s) are viewed by Oculus, resulting in a systematic progression of distorted reflections
Oculus limits the motion of the Iris. Its geometry is inspired by the Rose window of Notre Dame, Paris. Oculus windows are all known to be particular characteristic of Rose windows in Gothic architecture. The idea is to disrupt the old using the creative forces of the new by reinventing and rebuilding the ancient master piece in the present day using the facilities that modern science has made available.
The design of Oculus is complete when it is seen as a circle. Reflection Pond or a similar setup with a highly reflective base is used that not only cuts down the cost drastically, but it is also more effective, as the viewer in this case walks the closest to the centre of the installation. The shape of the pedestrian path in the pond means that the viewer is closest to the installation only midway, springing oculus into motion while walking past the highest curve on the walk way.
Oculus is primarily made up of two parts – the SHELL and the IRIS, mounted onto a wooden base. Iris, the interactive part of the installation is supported by the shell. The diameter of the sculpture is 24’ and the height is 12’.
o Shell – Shell made in stainless steel supports the overall structure and stabilises the installation. The shell is made up of steel framework with chrome finish sheets clad on both the sides.
o Iris – Fibreglass petals with chrome finish forms the Iris. The structure of Iris is comprised of stainless steel rods supported by the shell. Gears that are interconnecting the plates on the internal framework helps bring the plate into motion.
A motion sensor helps in mobilising the two hydraulic pistons attached to the petals in the installation. All the plates are interconnected with the help of gears as shown in the prototype.