The head of the sculpted bird moves up and down and from side to side, using quirky head movements. The sculpture is equipped with facial recognition and tracking software to directs these movements. A sense of intelligence results from these two simple elements, as the bird appears to recognise faces, at times looking directly into ones eyes. This behaviour becomes especially pronounced when it sees people wearing colourful clothing. Other behaviours include becoming nervous around large groups of people, or distant and moody when ignored. The impact of these characteristics is endearing. We have observed people showing different coloured objects to illicit different plumage patterns. Many also try to touch, stroke or even kiss the bird.
e. Menura Supurba is an interactive artwork. It explores the paradox between our fascination with the exotic, and our potentially dystopic future devoid of many animal species. The work hybridises seventeenth to early twentieth century aesthetics with refined post consumer waste materials, to create a simulacra of a lyre bird.
Australian lyre birds (initially designated Menura Supurba) have the remarkable ability to mimic natural and human sounds in their environment. Their vocal range and unusually long, wispy tail feathers, made lyre birds a nineteenth century curiosity. As taxidermy specimens, they were the most prized of all Australian birds.
Individual lyre birds have been documented making sounds such as camera shutters, flute and piano melodies, even chain saws. This repertoire has value beyond mere curiosity. It is also an interesting gauge of our acoustic environment as it mimics sound pollution - an often overlooked interaction between humanity and the natural world.
In this work the naturally shy lyre bird, becomes curious. Especially attracted by colourful clothing, it will sing and change the colour of its plumage to mimic clothing worn by people, in an attempt to attract an audience.
More info:http://kuuki.com.au/eMenuraSuperba (less info)