Project Hydra: Iterations (VR)
Project Hydra: Iterations is a VR art experience by Grant Hinkson (Fr0gg3r / Parietal Lab), creator of CONNECTOME and CONSTELLATIONS. The Hydra Series began as static images rendered by pen plotters and has been presented as projected installations, wall-mounted digital frames, and holographic displays at events and galleries in Seattle. This VR experience was created as an extension of that physical body of work — a way to experience the algorithm (a generative system of Bézier curves drawn across a fixed grid of rings) and its variations at scales and forms not possible in a physical gallery.
The journey opens with a sparse composition suspended above a doorway — curves reduced to just a few line segments, angular and spindly. A transitional passage leads to a gallery of smaller works on pedestals. Then, the centerpiece: the Hydra Series – 7×7: Complete Cycle, several stories tall, with ambient music synchronized to the movement of its focal node as it visits each point in the grid exactly once over nearly 13 minutes.
The final room presents an alternative version of the Complete Cycle that changes the mood completely — reduced point count, shifted palette, different sound. The same algorithm in a distorted permutation.
Future iterations will explore AR, bringing the Hydra Series into physical spaces alongside its projected and screen-based counterparts.
Best experienced with headphones.
View on Meta Quest
Join the Private Release Channel: https://www.meta.com/s/7FjMM4fzj
Staging Instructions
These instructions were uploaded with my submission. Available for download/viewing here as well:
Download Staging Instructions PDF
YouTube: Trailer for Meta Quest Experience (Unlisted)
Direct Download: Trailer for Meta Quest Experience (Same as Above, just local)
Concept Rendering
YouTube: Complete Cycle Reference Video
Physical Installation & Presentation
The Hydra Series – 7×7: Complete Cycle is a nearly 13-minute projected video loop — white Bézier curves animating across a grid as ambient audio responds to each movement of the focal node. It has been presented through Lusiolight’s Shine on Seattle event in downtown Seattle, Code Craft at Studio 2+U, organized by Seattle Creative Code, and at Public Display Art during Seattle Art Week 2024. Physical prints have been displayed (and printed live) at Seattle’s Passable gallery/makerspace and other venues. Installations have ranged from a single projection to multi-piece configurations including wall-mounted digital frames and a Looking Glass holographic display.
Installation
This should be projected at a minimum size of 8′ x 8′, but benefits from a larger scale projection. With sufficiently high-powered projectors, this can be presented on most any surface (e.g. brick / textured walls), but with the projector I currently have (2800 lumens), a light, plain surfaced wall is ideal.
Hardware Setup
Digital projector – short or long-throw based on the chosen environment
Raspberry Pi – serves as the video source and starts the looping video automatically upon startup (requires power, HDMI cable to projector, audio cable to speakers if used)
Speakers (optional) – the video is accompanied by a slow, undulating sound, similar to a heartbeat. A chime plays as the focal node moves from point to point.
Indoor vs Outdoor – This has never been presented outdoors. The only requirement for outdoor presentation would be a waterproof environment to house the hardware (projector, raspberry pi, and optional speakers).
Theme and STEM Roots
At its core, this project is code-based art. Bezier-curves are dynamically drawn and animated over time. Bounded random values result in a visual that appears organic in nature. While rendered in 2D, this is authored in a full 3D environment, providing a full range of motion for the curves in space.
Note: Some of the attached photos show supplemental digital frames in the installation. I currently have 3 digital frames and a small holographic display that have additional items from this series (a 7×2, 2×2, etc.). I’m open to including these in the exhibit as well if there’s interest.
Installation (Includes accompanying digital frames)
“Hydra at Sunset” – The installation in a Pioneer Square Storefront
