“Inspired by a friend’s struggle against Multiple Sclerosis, The Principals designed an installation to fundraise for the National MS Society. Space Trash allows users to control the installation with the same muscle-movement reading myoelectric sensors used in prosthetic devices, creating a truly bionic architecture. In conjunction with the installation, The Principals designed the Moon Rock coaster set, a series of prismatic forms cast in concrete available for purchase on their web shop, all proceeds will go to support the National MS Society NY Chapter.

Multiple Sclerosis erodes neural pathways, inhibiting muscle control. In extreme cases, this erosion causes paralysis. Exo-skeleton prosthesis can be used in these cases to combat atrophy by using myoelectric sensors to read the electrical impusles from functioning muscles to control non-functioning muscles. Space Trash uses three myoelectric sensors attached to the forearm, when the muscle contracts the installation responds, contracting and expanding based off of the user’s biorhythms. The space that is created extends our bodily impulses to the space we inhabit, functioning beyond the contraints of gravity and terrestrial movement.

Space Trash is the first in a series of installations exploring Bionic Architecture designed to raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis. The installation first appeared at Reclaim 3 during NY Design Week. A prototype is currently being shown in the gallery of the Ace Hotel NY. The next iteration will be shown at MoMA PS1 as part of their Warm Up concert series on August 31st and September 6th.” theprincipals.us