Metamorphosis is an art installation I created in collaboration with designer Yingying Chen. The butterfly’s wings are formed from large-scale laser-cut steel, while the base combines 3D-printed structural components with laser-cut wood. Measuring about one square meter, the sculpture is animated by four motors. On each side, two motors work together through a connecting shaft to power the large front wing and the smaller rear wing. This arrangement increases torque and balances the load. An adjustable eccentric wheel mounted on each motor converts rotational motion into a lifelike up-and-down movement, which is then transferred to the wings through a linkage.

At its core, an ESP32 microcontroller orchestrates the system. An ultrasonic distance sensor detects when viewers approach, prompting the motors to awaken. A webcam captures each visitor’s face, which is processed through TouchDesigner to generate dynamic visual patterns. These visuals are projection-mapped onto the steel wings and the surrounding backdrop, merging physical motion with interactive digital imagery.

By uniting industrial materials, mechanical engineering, and interactive media, Metamorphosis invites reflection on the butterfly effect—how the smallest personal choices can ripple outward into profound environmental consequences, shaping climate change for better or worse.