Wide Wings

Project Description

Mechanical installation in the Himalayas.

Project Type

Thesis Project / Live Client Implementation.

Date

Imagine standing eye-level with a bird. Stretch your arms wide, its wingspan doubles that reach. An experience where wonder replaces understanding, transforming a fleeting interaction into a lasting connection with the wild.

Concept:

💬

Personal note From thesis to reality

I wanted to merge my lifelong passion for building mechanical models as a form of artistic expression with strategies of human-centred design. I identified an opportunity: Himachal Pradesh's tourism economy was built on scenic vistas, but visitors were completely overlooking the region's extraordinary biodiversity. Some of these creatures have also been declining in numbers, and awareness in tourists about these creatures is currently low. Hence

My project was to propose a solution. I designed a kinetic installation that could transform passive observation into active engagement, and the concept resonated so strongly that the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department not only approved it but also commissioned its fabrication and installation.

A 4Ft X 2Ft Illustrated Plaque containing information on birds displayed in the installation, for public education.

Rough images showing the installation at various locations as list of options, the Image in the centre is the version that was selected by the client

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Electronic Control & Signal Sequence

INPUT

Ultrasonic Sensor

LOGIC

Microcontroller

OUTPUT

Servo Actuators

STATUS >

SYSTEM IDLE. AWAITING TRIGGER.

ACTIVATE
SCROLL ASSIST

Evolution of the Mechanism

The mechanism evolved from initial sketches through low-fidelity prototypes using popsicle sticks, paper, and PVC pipes to refine the wing movement. A fully functional analogue prototype validated the physics before translation into technical specifications and fabrication guides. These directed a team of technicians who assembled the final version in welded metal with high-torque motors and sensors.

Selected Iterations showing progress in material choice and mechanisms.

Instructions showing the mechanism and building technique along with proportions of parts for the fabricators (arrived upon after multiple prototype iterations) for manufacturing.

First working prototype.

Pictures of the built installation:

📍Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Earlier this year, my undergrad thesis project from 2023, a set of sensor-activated stylized mechanical bird sculptures was brought to life and installed in the Himalayas! 🦅🏔️ The sculptures… | Shounak Karmalkar | 23 comments

Earlier this year, my undergrad thesis project from 2023, a set of sensor-activated stylized mechanical bird sculptures was brought to life and installed in the Himalayas! 🦅🏔️ The sculptures depict the golden eagle, lammergeier, and griffon vulture. Birds of prey with wingspans that exceed 10 feet, that are usually just specks in the sky. The goal? To bring them closer, spark curiosity, and celebrate the rich local wildlife at a nature park in Manali, India. As someone who grew up in a forest and built lots of mechanical models growing up, this project was the perfect intersection of my interests in wildlife, design, and engineering, all coming together to create delight. Huge thanks to the amazing humans who made this happen: Chandan Baburaju who along with John Mathew fabricated the parts of the final installation, Sai K Mulpuru the wizard behind the electronics, all the skilled technicians, and Sanjay Barnela for bringing us together, and creating the oppurtunity. Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology | 23 comments on LinkedIn

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Earlier this year, my undergrad thesis project from 2023, a set of sensor-activated stylized mechanical bird sculptures was brought to life and installed in the Himalayas! 🦅🏔️ The sculptures… | Shounak Karmalkar | 23 comments

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