Book Hive Teaser

Lining the vaults of Bristol Central Library, 400 robotic books inhabited the cells of a hive that seemed to emerge from the fabric of the building itself. A visitor disturbs the hive, setting the books into a responsive swarm of motion, creating a space of wonder. Book Hive merges the technologies of swarm robotics with the traditional medium of printed books to bring the physical nature of libraries to life. Book Hive is a work of civic activism and a living sculpture reflecting the library within a changing social technological landscape. When people inhabit the space a vitality emerges - they become part of something larger, more significant than themselves. Created for Bristol library’s 400th anniversary, Book Hive was funded by the Arts Council Libraries Fund, supported by the Bristol City Council and Bristol Libraries. CREDITS: A Rusty Squid and Black Cat film Filmed by Adam DJ Laity RUSTY SQUID TEAM: Creative Producer: Vivienne Kuh Embedded Researcher: Sarah Eagle Lead Designer and Fabricator: Roseanne Wakely Lighting Design and Fabrication: Rob Maclachlan Robotic Engineer and Designer: David McGoran Robotic Engineer and Designer: Rob Stephenson Technical Director: Sebastien Valade FABRICATION TEAM: Animatronics Fabrication Team Leader: Elizabeth Johnson Technical Support: Kyle Hirani David Snoo Wilson Greame Hogg Helena Houghton Jasmine Butt Jo Lathwood Katie Hood Leon Boydon Mae Voogd Sarah Edwards Rusty Squid Ltd http://rustysquid.co.uk Like us on Facebook http://facebook.com/RustySquidLtd Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/RustySquidLtd Find us on Instagram http://instagram.com/RustySquidLtd Film by Adam Laity http://blackcatfilms.org.uk