Marvel at the pixel power of the Kilopixel wood-block showcase
A Unique Artistic Display: The Wood-Flipping Kilopixel
In the heart of a creative workspace, a one-of-a-kind interactive display named Kilopixel has taken residence. Created by designer Ben Holmen, this fascinating piece is a 40 x 25 grid of 1,000 precisely sized wooden blocks, each acting as a pixel in a captivating physical pixel art display.
Each wooden block, approximately 40mm in size, is hand-painted and carefully arranged to form a large, intricate image. The mechanical heart of Kilopixel is a robot arm that flips each wooden block individually, changing the image displayed on the grid. This process is a far cry from the high-speed updates of modern digital screens, with each pixel being flipped roughly 10 times per minute, taking 30-60 minutes to complete a single image [1][3].
The mechanical design of Kilopixel is a blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. Ben Holmen initially experimented with various materials for the pixels, including ping-pong balls and painted Nerf balls, but found these options deteriorated over time. In the end, he opted for wooden blocks, which he crafted himself [1].
To control the rotation of the blocks, Holmen employed a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine and connected a CNC controller to a Raspberry Pi. A light sensor is used to determine the physical state of each pixel, allowing the robot to accurately flip the blocks and create the desired image [1].
Holmen has enlisted trusted friends to monitor and delete inappropriate submissions as needed, and a reporting mechanism is in place for addressing issues [1]. Users can upload images to Kilopixel, but submissions are restricted to those with a Bluesky account [1].
Though Kilopixel is a conceptual demonstration of a large, inefficient display rather than a practical screen technology, it has garnered praise from notable figures in the tech world. Raspberry Pi supremo Eben Upton has dubbed Kilopixel one of the silliest (in the best possible sense) things done with a Raspberry Pi [1].
For Holmen, seeing art created by others on his office wall brings immense joy. The project, initially conceptualized six years ago, has proven to be a captivating blend of art, technology, and human ingenuity [1]. Kilopixel will run for approximately two weeks, depending on maintenance requirements, and serves as a testament to the power of creativity and the human spirit.
[1] - Ben Holmen's Blog Post [2] - Deep Learning for Robotics [3] - Kilopixel: A Slow Art Machine
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