Fireworks
An object of fireworks and other motion poetry
The movement catches your eye. You notice the particles, they're ballistic, but also dancing, chasing each other, moving in tandem, suspended. How they climb, stand there for a weightless moment, only to eventually begin their fall. Brief sparks but also lasting trails, drawing ephemeral shapes against the dark background.
This object has a screen, but it’s not meant for productivity, selling you anything, or mindless distraction. It operates into the domain of the subjective, of the spontaneous, of imagination and art. You can make it your own secret garden, maybe even some kind of a shelter, that you may return to as needed. Let it become a space of quiet and reflexive wonder, perhaps the opposite of a smartphone.
A poetic machine with endless fireworks inside.
Generative software
Connect to a USB-C power supply and press the button at the back. In its interior, a small computer runs carefully created generative software, simulating particles under the laws of physics and occasionally other laws too. At times, even time can slow down for a while.
The moving images that gradually appear are not pre-recorded videos, but ever new, simulated and rendered for that particular moment. This is made possible by the magic of computer graphics and random numbers.
Minimalism is the overall aesthetic, both in the object body itself and in the produced images, where black, white and muted colors dominate. But festivals of color have also been seen.
Fireworks are celebratory and great entertainment too, yet they also have overarching symbolism: brilliant particles that arise, briefly stand at their peak height and then explode or fade away.
Materials
The object body is smooth to the touch and made of a special blend of concrete and white Estremoz marble particles, resembling alabaster.
Measures 11 x 13 x 5 cm (about 4 x 5 x 2") and weights near 500 grams (over 1 lb). Has an on/off button at its backside panel, which is made of plywood and protected with matte wood stain. With an attached 90 cm (35") power cord with a USB-C plug, to be connected to a common USB-C power adapter (not included).
Includes a TFT screen whose LED lights have a typical lifespan (until brightness halves) of about 50,000 hours. This is over five and a half years of continuous use (always on) and will be much longer if the object is switched off when not used.
Many techniques were involved in its making: CAD design, 3D model printing, material design, concrete casting, electronics and hardware integration, software particle simulation, animation and sequencing. All pulled together with an eye on its poetry.
Purchase
A Fireworks object can be purchased at our Etsy shop.
Orders are carefully packaged and sent with tracked shipping, from Portugal. We process and ship orders in 1-3 days, from Mondays to Fridays. Each object is uniquely numbered and includes instructions.
This object is handcrafted with care. The surface is made of cast concrete, a material and process where some small natural imperfections can be present. These are inherent to the artisanal casting process, make each device unique and add to its character. The back panel's plywood type may vary, but always in a light yellowish tone.
We're currently only shipping to the European Union. Sorry about this, worldwide shipping is coming as soon as possible.
For any information, please contact us, we'll be most glad to help. We can also reserve a unit for you, if unavailable at the Etsy shop.
