“Happy” Balls Dancing in Air

By: Justin Lang on May 27, 2011

I wanted to save this for Sunday YouTube Videos, but it is such a neat idea, that I wanted to share it sooner. A motion-graphic and visual effects studio based in Barcelona called Physalia began a simple experiment for this year’s F5 Re:Play Fest held back in April called “Happy”.

After a good deal of introspection, and teaming up with awesome motion graphics artist Gerardo del Hierro, we decided that happy wasn’t happy for Physalia unless pliers, microchips and a bit of soldering were involved, and with this idea we resolved to create the happiest machine Physalia has built to date.

They took a large electromagnet that they found on eBay, a bunch of plastic balls, filled them with electronics and produced an amazing 3D motion piece. I can sit here all day watching the balls rise and dance in mid air.  “Happy” got me thinking… How can we use this in our field?  The ideas are endless!  Add LEDs and wireless DMX control to the balls… Could be a fun project! Get your creative juices flowing.  We just might see this in the near future!

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