SPACES LANDSCAPES PROTOTYPES SIMULATION GEOMETRY ENVIRONMENTS ECOLOGIES
2018 March

Dana speaks at the CMUThink Pittsburgh event themed around Greening the Urban Environment. This Alumni Association University event introduces CMU’s innovative research and technology that could lead to healthier cities.

2018 March

Epiphyte Lab has been recognized as the Next Progressive design practice by ARCHITECT, The Journal of American Institute of Architects. Learn more about Epiphyte Lab’s design work in the interview with Dana.

2018 March

Dana presents Senyai: Vaulted Acoustics project at the Building Behaviors panel, 106th Annual Meeting ACSA, Denver, CO.

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Medusa Image
Medusa Image
Medusa Image
Medusa Image
Medusa Image
Medusa Image
Medusa Image
Medusa Image

MEDUSA: Toxic Actuation

| Ithaca, NY | Summer 2013 |

| Design Research Project | Installation |

Medusa is a proposal for an interactive 'chandelier-like' installation that plays on mythological notions of toxicity and beauty in our contemporary culture. In Greek mythology, Medusa - originally a ravishingly beautiful maiden - was turned by goddess Athena into monster, a Gorgon, generally described as a winged human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Expanding on the theme of poisonous strains of beauty we engage the presence of mold within built environment. Actuating mold growth in the network that responds to light levels, human occupancy and movement, this system strives to visualize the invisible microbiotic particles that are always present around us. As the pattern of concentration and growth occur, our attraction to toxicity may mobilize human reflection and behavior, which confronts the contradictions of beauty and human health.

| PI & DESIGN PRINCIPAL: Dana Cupkova | DESIGN TEAM: Nicolas Azel, Sonny Eric Xu, Gretchen Craig |