prostheticknowledge:

Ant Ballet

Experimental art project using synthesised pheromones distributed by robotic arm to guide ants on randomly generated paths:

Ant Ballet is a six-year research project into control systems, paranoia and dancing insects. The project is separated into four phases.

Phase I

Phase I (2010-2012) included thorough research into ants and control systems, synthesis of ant pheromones and testing of these systems with live ants in Barcelona. Through use of synthesised pheromones (Z9:16 Ald Hexadecenal), a robotic arm lays trails which cause ants to move in a different way to their natural foraging behaviour. This phase proves the viability of the research and technologies.

Phase II

The first live performance of Ant Ballet. Anticipated in Brazil as part of Pestival, 2013.

Phase III

Development of intercontinental ant colony communication devices.

Phase IV

Destruction (undetermined).

Here is a video demonstrating the idea:

You can find out more about the project here

What. The. Fuck.

Art, guys.