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The most photographed art piece at Coachella 2014.

 

Escape Velocity

The 36’ tall x 57’ long x 40’ wide mobile Astronaut.

 

Escape Velocity

A large scale roving kinetic sculpture.

 

Escape Velocity

Featuring a live innovative facial capture video mapping
system that puts the participants face into the Astronaut’s
visor and their name emblazoned on the suit name tag.

 

Escape Velocity

Real time radio controlled animatronics moved the shoulders,
arms, elbows and hands.

 

Escape Velocity

Hovering over concertgoers, interacting
larger than life.

 

Escape Velocity

One of the most photographed art pieces of 2014.

 

Escape Velocity

Crash landing into Fat Boy Slim’s set in the
Sahara Tent at Coachella.

 
 

The incredible team that brought this piece to life.

 

Escape Velocity

Poetic Kinetics' 2014 Coachella creation.

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ESCAPE VELOCITY aka COACHELLA ASTRONAUT

by: Poetic Kinetics

At Poetic Kinetics we are known for their large-scale interactive kinetic art. April 11-20, 2014, we debuted Escape Velocity, also known as Coachella Astronaut, to Coachella Music and Arts Festival.

Poetic Kinetics shot for the stars that year with “Escape Velocity”, a 36’ tall x 57’ long x 40’ wide mobile Astronaut. This ginormous kinetic sculpture featured radio-controlled animatronics, giving it the ability to articulate life-like gestures, such as peace and thumbs-up signs. The visor of the Astronaut was equipped with video projection mapping, along with a live, interactive facial and name capture system. This allowed participants to “become the astronaut” by having their face projected into the helmet’s visor as their name appeared on the suit’s nametag.

The astronaut was so popular with Coachella attendees, even Big Boi got in on the action!

Festivalgoers and artists could follow the astronaut’s adventures via Instagram @CoachellaAstronaut. They were also encouraged to use #CoachellaAstronaut to capture their festival experience and interact directly with the astronaut.

“Escape Velocity” (also known as Coachella Astronaut) was the highly anticipated follow-up to “Helix Poeticus,” widely known by festivalgoers as Coachella Snail. The Snail garnered critical praise and worldwide attention after debuting at 2013’s sold-out Coachella festival.

Also known as Coachella Astronaut.  Escape Velocity roamed the Coachella Polo fields in 2014.

@Large Escape Velocity – Hosted by Diplo

A behind the scenes look at the making of

Coachella Astronaut.

“We’re still winning!!!”

The Making of Escape Velocity

If you love art, engineering, and music festivals then this documentary is for you!  This 6 part series is a must-see!

Dream Big 2:24

“If you just dream really big and go for it and get anywhere close to it, you’re already swimming in gravy!”

It Can Happen 1:55

“This is just its wrist I’m doing right now, and I think it’s… 12 feet?”

Every Step is Inspiration 1:52

Furiously close to mechanically done!

Crazy Truck Load 1:34

5 fifty-three-foot truck loads going to Coachella today.

It Can Happen 1:55

“This is just its wrist I’m doing right now, and I think it’s… 12 feet?”

The Reveal 1:19

We’re still winning!

Press Enterprise

Press Enterprise

RollingStone

RollingStone

KMIR

KMIR

The Creator’s Project

The Creator’s Project

Laughing Squid

Laughing Squid

Spin

Spin

International Business Times UK

International Business Times UK

LA Weekly

LA Weekly

Hollywood Reporter

Hollywood Reporter

NBC News

NBC News

Facebook

Facebook

Google Images

Google Images

Social Highlights

Escape Velocity comes in peace. #CoachellaAstronaut

A video posted by Coachella (@coachella) on

Desert Parallax Full video at Coachella.com

A video posted by Coachella (@coachella) on

All we need is somebody to lean on

A photo posted by Coachella (@coachella) on

Reflecting on our favorite moments from this year.

A photo posted by Coachella (@coachella) on

Smile ☺

A photo posted by Coachella (@coachella) on

Smiles all around.

A photo posted by Coachella (@coachella) on

 

Escape Velocity

also known as Coachella Astronaut,
now lives happily at the Science
Museum of Minnesota.