Proposal for: Flor De Vida
an interactive installation
DAY VIEW
This flower is a symbol of hope and renewal during life’s challenges. The opening and closing petals reflect the natural ups and downs we all face. When people interact with it, they bring it to life.
Beyond its symbolism, the installation is designed to be a beacon for the festival where people can enjoy interacting with the flower, taking a break during the heat, a place to find new friends and even mark it as a gathering point.
The vibrant lights will naturally attract curiosity, inspiring people to gather, interact, and meet one another. It becomes a space where conversations spark, smiles form, and senses are inspired. By engaging with the flower, people participate in creating a shared moment of joy and positivity, reminding us all of the beauty found in community and togetherness.
Description: “Flor de Vida” (Flower of Life) is an interactive installation of a large flower that comes to life when people engage with it. It is a 13.5 foot high acrylic flower with fabricated aluminum structure with mechanical petals that open and close as people sit on the wooden base structure. Smaller scaled touch-reactive flowers are scattered all around the base that trigger change in the RGB lights, making the installation more exciting and interactive both morning and night.
The flower is inspired by the Blue Flax flower native to California where the team is from. The Blue Flax grows despite harsh environmental conditions such as poor soil quality, drought and even survives extreme conditions like wildfires. This endurance is the heart of what our art aims to symbolize.
Growing up as the child of immigrant parents who fled war, I witnessed firsthand the survival my parents had to endure to support our family. Even during tough times, they kept going, sacrificing their dreams to give us a better future. I remember my mom waking up at 5 a.m. every day to work at a job she didn’t love, just to ensure we had food on the table. Her sacrifices taught me that even in the face of hardship, there is beauty in striving forward.
NIGHT VIEW
When people touch the flowers at the base, they lights up changing the colors of the installation.
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW & INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
Installation Specifications:
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Dimensions: 8ft x 8ft x 13.5ft
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Material: Acrylic, custom aluminum cuts, LED lights, wood, silicone, and steel reinforcements
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Structure will be pre-fabricated and will be ready for assembly on-site
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No logos or branded imagery is featured on the installation
Installation Site and Time:
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The location for the art installation should have adequate space to allow visitors to move freely around the installation.
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Depending on location of installation and its distance from vehicle access, installation should take 2-3 days prior to event.
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The installation requires 5 of our team members for setup and takedown.
Power Requirements:
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The installation will require access to one standard power outlet with two three-pronged plugs.
Staffing Requirements:
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No event staff is required during event.
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The installation can run on its own but should be periodically checked to ensure that it is running smoothly.
Safety Considerations:
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Safety measures have been incorporated into the design, to ensure that the experience and installation is as safe as possible. Everything is touch friendly.
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Engineering approval will be provided.
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The installation and team members will be insured.
Click on the numbers to know how each component of the installation works
The Flower
Overall Specs for The flower:
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The main flower is mostly made of acrylic that is 1/8 inch in thickness (approximately 3mm)
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Most of the components are made with custom aluminum and steel cuts (made and designed with CAD programs) that allow the flower to be securely attached to the main post of the installation
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The total weight of the main flower is about 60 pounds (28 Kilos)
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The electrical components and structure is designed to ensure that it is weather-resistant
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The flower is programmed to open and close when people sit on the base
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If there is no one interacting with the flower it will go into idle mode after 1 minute and open and close as well as light up automatically
(Bearing):
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The flower blossoms using a rack and pinion system with a slew ring bearing. A stepper motor is programmed to control the movement
(Micro-Controller):
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When people sit down on the base of the flower, it open and closes giving the flower life and at night the flower fades to different colors
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Ultra-Sonics sensors are used to detect interactions
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The micro controller has a timer to detect when the light are able to turn on
(Flower):
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The total size of the flower is 5ft long
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The center of the flower allows for the smaller flower to be attached
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The smaller flowers work similarly to the main flower
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The smaller flower is 3ft long with each petal being 1.5ft long
(Petals):
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The acrylic petals are cased in an aluminum frame where the LED light are located to light up the petals at night.
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The petals are securely attached to metal handles to allow them to open and close
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The acrylic petals are translucent for light to shine through them
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Each petal is 2.5 feet long and 1.5 feet wide toward the center and tapers at each end
Post
Overall specs for the post:
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The post is made of aluminum and steel with welded custom components for anchoring to the ground
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The total length of the post is 15ft which include the 2ft anchor at the bottom of the base
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The Radius of the base is 4 inches wide and a 2 inch opening for wires and electronics
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Special cutouts are made for securing the flower, leaves, and protecting the electronics from dust, wind, and rain.
(Leaves):
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The leaves on the post are illuminated and securely fastened to ensure stability. Hollow bolts are used to discreetly route the wiring through the post while also providing a secure fastening mechanism. This design ensures durability while maintaining a clean and seamless aesthetic.
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Leaves are (2 ft x 1ft)
(Earth Anchors):
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An earth anchor is welded to the bottom of the base for stability and leveling
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Additional slots are made into base for extra structural support and stability
(Cutouts):
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Special cutouts are made throughout the post for wires to be protected and to secure the main flower up on top
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Cutouts are hidden for a seamless look
Base
(Access):
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The base has an access point to allow for easy debugging and fixes
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Electronic components will be protected and store in the access point
(Internal structure):
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The bottom of the base allows the use of earth anchors to keep the base in place
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Additional support is build inside the base to provide extra stability for the flower
Overall specs for the base:
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The base is made with wood and coated with iridescent film and paint to give the structure a seamless finish.
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The base is 8ft X 8ft X 4ft.
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People can sit down on the base. making this installation a gathering point and rest spot for the festival goers
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Smaller flowers sit on top of the base that light up during the night. when people touch them they glow up and fade over time
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Internally the base has extra support to hold itself in place as well as the post
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Surrounding the base are LED lights that brighten its environment.
(Sensors):
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The sitting of the base has ultra sonic sensors to detect if people are sitting down which activates the blooming of the flower
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They are behind a acoustic mesh for hidden visibility of the sensor
(LED Lights):
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LED Lights go all around the base to brighten the surrounding as well as the installation
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They are reactive when people sit on the base and when the small flowers are being touched
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They are programed to turn on after sunset
(Small Flowers):
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Small flowers light up when people touch them
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The small flowers use capacitive sensors to know if they have been touched
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They screw onto the small aluminum roots