The Laser Orrery was spun out of the problem of "how do you build something that can not be built?”. It was originally planned as a physical object, but that become impossible and I created it as laser projection. As we explored the capabilities of the projected system, we were able to build it into a cooperative game and add multiple states. All aspects of the projection are controlled via the panels on the two mechs. I worked through many different approaches to make this functional. Starting with midi control and finally settling on OSC with a master game engine that takes input from the mechs, parses it, and then passes it into the laser display system. To the best of my knowledge, this is the most complex, real time laser game system ever developed. The Orrery is used to explore the binary solar system and to open the wormhole portal into the next universe. It’s a relic of a planet long diminished by the ravages of time.
Laser Orrery Contributors
The credits page is organized by different levels of contribution: Exhibition, Anchor Space or Project.
You’re on a project page within the Eemia Anchor Space in the Convergence Station Exhibition.
Creative Leads
- Christopher Short Laser / Projection Design
Creative Contributors
- Chris Beran Exhibition Creative Engineer
- Christina McGrady Production Manager
- Christopher Taylor Technical Project Manager
- Daniel Bazo Exhibition Creative Engineer
- Emily Markwiese Technical Integrator
- Jon Haas Video System Designer
- Joshua Davisson Show Manager
- Julianne Aguilar Narrative Development
- Niyia Mack Show Manager
- Oliver Polzin Animator