New York, NY
Archieve
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Olivia
eckstine
New York, NY
Archieve
About
Contact
works
The Breif
Arduino Uno, HC-SR04, NeoPixel
Olivia eckstine.
Perimeter
Wearable sculpture
Perimeter runs on an Arduino Uno reading two HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors, one on each side of the garment. Each sensor continuously measures the distance of nearby objects; when something crosses a set proximity threshold, the Arduino triggers a NeoPixel ring and activates a light response in real time.
The sensors operate independently, so the light can respond asymmetrically depending on which side detects movement first. A continuous loop in the Arduino IDE (written in C++) polls both sensors, maps distance readings to LED brightness and pattern, and updates the ring accordingly. The closer the proximity, the more activated the light becomes.
A wearable sculpture that senses proximity in real time, answering nearness with light.
How it works
Construction
The NeoPixel ring and sensors are fixed to the fabric base with a mix of hot glue and hand-sewing: glue to anchor components in place, stitching to reinforce the points that bear tension or movement.
Wiring is routed along the surface rather than hidden, and salvaged circuit boards and components are hand-sewn on as decorative elements. The Arduino and power source are built into the structure of the piece, worn on the body.
Perimeter was made for Space and Material, a studio course at Parsons School of Design focused on the relationship between sculpture and the body. The assignment asked students to investigate how physical materials, form, and space interact with and around the human figure.
I used it to push into wearable and interactive territory, asking what it means when a sculptural object doesn't just sit on the body but responds to the space the body occupies. The result lives somewhere between garment, sculpture, and sensor system, using the body as both its structure and its subject.
New York, NY
About
Archieve
Contact
The Brief
Arduino Uno, HC-SR04, NeoPixel