Michael built Soft Machine Dementia to experiment with the idea that a machine might be able to ‘forget’ concepts of efficient, deterministic and optimised movements. By using materials from the softer spectrum, such as brass, lead, leather and felt for the frame and vulcanised rubber, latex, water and swell-gel for the actuation components, Michael sought to create a mechanical configuration that is compromised by the softness of its components. As a means of inducing motion Michael chose to employ the transfer of water and the harvesting of the expansion force of swell gel.

This project essentially forms the beginning of Michael’s interest in soft machines as experimental media of architectural design.

Materials
Latex, felt, leather, steel, brass, vulcanised rubber, swell gel, water