Laser Cutter Example: “Hylozoic Soil” by Phillip Beesley (2007)
This artwork, “Hylozoic Soil” by Phillip Beesley, is one of several installations in a series of empathetic, reactive environments. Hundreds upon hundreds of pieces of laser cut acrylic (and many other plastic and metal components as well) are assembled together into a network of appendages, each controlled by arduinos so that they will react to the touch of the viewer. As the title suggests, the theme of this piece is centered on the idea of hylozoism, which asserts that all matter (not just things that are traditionally seen as alive) is indeed living.