ESCAPE VELOCITY aka COACHELLA ASTRONAUT

by: Poetic Kinetics

At Poetic Kinetics we are known for their large-scale interactive kinetic art. April 11-20, 2014, we debuted Escape Velocity, also known as Coachella Astronaut, to Coachella Music and Arts Festival.

Poetic Kinetics shot for the stars that year with “Escape Velocity”, a 36’ tall x 57’ long x 40’ wide mobile Astronaut. This ginormous kinetic sculpture featured radio-controlled animatronics, giving it the ability to articulate life-like gestures, such as peace and thumbs-up signs. The visor of the Astronaut was equipped with video projection mapping, along with a live, interactive facial and name capture system. This allowed participants to “become the astronaut” by having their face projected into the helmet’s visor as their name appeared on the suit’s nametag.

The astronaut was so popular with Coachella attendees, even Big Boi got in on the action!

Festivalgoers and artists could follow the astronaut’s adventures via Instagram @CoachellaAstronaut. They were also encouraged to use #CoachellaAstronaut to capture their festival experience and interact directly with the astronaut.

“Escape Velocity” (also known as Coachella Astronaut) was the highly anticipated follow-up to “Helix Poeticus,” widely known by festivalgoers as Coachella Snail. The Snail garnered critical praise and worldwide attention after debuting at 2013’s sold-out Coachella festival.