For my project, I decided to go with the aurora borealis painting that utilizes slits in the canvas and LED strips to create the aurora effect. For the maquette, I took a piece of cardboard and cut slits of varying lengths in a vague pattern then set two light sources behind it to simulate the LEDs. The light shone through the slits well. With some much cleaner cuts, the light behind the canvas should be seen very easily. By programming the LED strips to change colors and intensity, it should give the painting the effect of having a live, pulsing aurora.
For the actual project, I intend to paint a landscape scene to go with the aurora. I was also thinking to take the advice of one of my fellow classmates and use some fiber optic bundles to simulate the stars in the night sky as well. It should turn out to be a pretty cool effect.
To complete the project, I’ll need the following items:
Paint
Cardboard
Timeline
Week of 9/21 – buy supplies and start sketching the landscape scene I want to paint
Week 9/28 – Once all the supplies have arrived, start sketching the scene onto the cardboard and start cutting the slits
Week of 10/5 – paint the scene and start programming the LED strips
Week of 10/12 – Finalize project
I think that will look cool! I’d also suggest experimenting with different materials to help diffuse the LEDs that you could layer over the slits. Some possibilities might be tissue or rice paper, plastic of different kinds (milk jugs or plastic grocery bags work surprisingly well), or vellum/tracing paper.
I like the concept of the fiber optics being used as stars in the night sky in your background, they aren’t super bright so they wont take away from the aroura borealis in the front.
I’m so excited to see your final piece, I think it will look beautiful! I think the color changing lights and different brightnesses could also really make it seem like the aurora borealis “moving” in the sky.
It sounds like your idea is going well and you seem to have a lot of good ideas to add more. I don’t remember if you’re on campus, but when it comes time the laser cutter is a great tool to cut just about anything cleanly (like paper and cardboard)
Glad you’re moving forward with this concept! How big will your landscape be?