A Happier Sisyphus
2023
Type : Interactive installation
Tools: Maya | MaxMSP | Arduino
Material: PLA, plywood, screen
2023
Type : Interactive installation
Tools: Maya | MaxMSP | Arduino
Material: PLA, plywood, screen
This work is inspired by the philosophical story “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus published in 1942. Sisyphus is a figure of Greek mythology who was condemned to repeat forever pushing a boulder up a mountain, only to see it roll down again. Modern people with endless and meaningless work always find resonance with “Sisyphus”. While Camus said, “One must imagine Sisyphus happy”. There is no escape from the absurd in life, what people can do is to face and admit the absurd.
To be inspired by this story, the character is a “self-wind-up” toy, with self-generated energy system. It is winded up to walk and to move the treadmill, with the gear system being triggered to wind it up again. With endless motion to keep himself moving, will Sisyphus be happier?
Audiences can “run” on the “treadmill” with fingers, to make the Sisyphus on screen to move, for them to experience like Sisyphus.
To be inspired by this story, the character is a “self-wind-up” toy, with self-generated energy system. It is winded up to walk and to move the treadmill, with the gear system being triggered to wind it up again. With endless motion to keep himself moving, will Sisyphus be happier?
Audiences can “run” on the “treadmill” with fingers, to make the Sisyphus on screen to move, for them to experience like Sisyphus.