Mondo Spider

The Mondo Spider is a 1600 lb, 8 legged walking machine originally built by a Vancouver-based team of artists and engineers in 2006.

In 2009 the Mondo Spider was commissioned by CODE Live as part of the Vancouver Olympic Games to switch to electrical energy, making it the world's first zero-emission walking machine. 

The Mondo Spider is a partner project of eatART.

Mondo Spider Project Site

Rob Cunningham (co-founder and director of eatART) riding the Mondo Spider at the Pemberton Music Festival in 2008

Daisy the Solar Powered Tricycle

Made in California by master inventor and fabricator Professor Bob Schneeveis from the medical department of Neurobiology at Stanford University, Daisy resides in Vancouver at the eatART hangar.

Daisy is the world's largest solar powered tricycle.

Daisy, Vancouver, 2009. Part of BEST (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation) bicycle week. 

Prosthesis

Prosthesis is an independent art project being done by Jonathan Tippett, co-creator of The Mondo Spider.  It is 5m tall wearable walking machine powered by a cutting edge, modular, expandable hybrid-electric power plant. Prosthesis uses this power to amplify the pilots movements through an on-board exo-skeletal interface. The skill of the operator and the configuration of the power system all contribute to the machines overall efficiency.This relationship reminds us, in very immediate way, how our use of technology can convert small acts in to movements of great consequence.

ContainR

The work is a solar powered cinema at the nexus of street installation, video, and public art. 

ContainR is an independent project presented by Springboard in partnership with BRAVO/FACT/CTV, BCAC Unique Opportunities Grant, SHAW, Arts Partners in Creative Development and Cineworks. The project was sponsored by eatART. 

ContainR Project Site

 

3E-ROI

3E-ROI evokes the progression in human evolution as it has transitioned from a biological mode to technological. The Extrasomatic Evolution and Energy Return on Invested (3EROI) is evolution in technology and culture - evolution outside of our bodies. Advancements in technology yield increased energy efficiency, which in turn allows technology to advance further. 3E-ROI charts the evolution from sticks and stones to alloys and polymers. Standing 50 feet long, 25 feet high and incorporating dynamic light, sound, and video elements, this sculpture embodies the path of Extrasomatic Evolution and Energy Return on Invested, mimicking the exponential curves associated with our explosive growth in population and technology. 3E-ROI prompts the question: what's next in human evolution?

3ER01 Project Site 

 

Gramorail

Pedal-powered contraptions to be deployed on Vancouver's disused railway lines including the Arbutus Corridor in conjunction with a public celebration. The contraptions, a marriage of kinetic sculpture, vehicle and stage, will become the focus of a series of public events, celebrations and festivals.

The vision is to design and build a number of these contraptions that can connect to one another and form a "party train", complete with a human-powered engine, human-powered DJ sound system and possibly also projections, and lots of seating and standing/dancing space. There will also be "stations" that we'll move between to pick up and drop off passengers and "engines".

As a work in progress (Dec 2009), Gramorail is being created by the Vancouver Design Nerds in partnership with eatART.

TITANOBOA

Tianoboa is an amphibious electromechanical reincarnation of the ancient 50ft serpent rendered extinct by past climate change. The project is a vehicle to provoke discussion about climate change in a historical context, and to enable learning through the creation of a technical marvel. Titanoboa will experiment with mind-boggling modes of propulsion, and to restore life to a terrifying beast the likes of which the world has not see for 60 million years. Dare to ride the snake and look towards the uncertain future of our beloved planet.