# Open Source Innovation - Ep 128 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voA9wQTzUAg Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/voA9wQTzUAg Generated: 2026-01-28T20:03:36.134+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Open Source Innovation project, involving art, engineering, and community building, successfully deployed its solar-powered, architecturally interesting light source structure, which expands into a star shape, at Burning Man, proving its robust and environmentally friendly design concept. **Key Points:** - The project, titled "Open Source Innovation," features a solar-powered, environmentally friendly light source structure designed to be strong enough to function as a bike ramp. - The structure's design utilizes novel scissor-linkage mechanisms and an accordion-like folding geometry, resembling a star shape when deployed. - The creators, including Colin Jemmott, MJ Brovold, Sam Smith, and Squirtle, are part of the San Diego Collaborative Arts project and are committed to open-sourcing their designs. - The team received a $1,500 Civic Ignition Grant and also had a previous, similar installation called 'Echoes of the Dying Sea' at the High Desert Test Sites. - The design philosophy emphasizes community building, accessibility for artists without extensive technical knowledge (like power management), and sustainability. - The project was successfully tested in the desert and at the Soake Regional event, proving its durability against harsh conditions, including rain. ![Screenshot at 00:07: The partially assembled wooden frame of the open-source light sculpture stands in the desert with a person inside interacting with a central light source, illustrating the project's focus on community-driven art and engineering.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/voA9wQTzUAg/00-00-07.jpg) **Context:** This interview segment from Burning Man Live features Colin Jemmott, MJ Brovold, Sam Smith, and Squirtle discussing their open-source art project focused on sustainable, accessible light installations. The project, which has evolved over several years, aims to create modular, environmentally conscious art that can be easily deployed and shared within the maker community, contrasting with the heavy, fossil-fuel-dependent art often seen at Burning Man. ## Detailed Analysis The discussion centers on an open-source art project focused on creating solar-powered light art that is both environmentally friendly and accessible to a broader community of creators. The structure itself has a complex, star-shaped, fractal design employing scissor linkages and accordion mechanisms, which allows it to be fully assembled from easily obtainable, relatively inexpensive materials (costing under $100 for hardware) and then folded down for transport. The creators—Colin Jemmott, MJ Brovold, Sam Smith, and Squirtle—are connected to the San Diego Collaborative Arts project. They received a $1,500 Civic Ignition Grant for this iteration, having previously brought a similar piece called 'Echoes of the Dying Sea' to the High Desert Test Sites. They stress that open-sourcing the design is crucial, allowing others to replicate, improve, or adapt it for their own needs, even if they lack specific technical knowledge of power systems. The project successfully powered its LED lights entirely through solar panels for the entire week at Burning Man. The speakers emphasize that the community aspect, encouraging collaboration and sharing knowledge, is as important as the physical art itself. They also mention that the project was robust enough to withstand rain during testing and that they are already planning future, perhaps larger, iterations. ### Open Source Philosophy - Open-sourcing the design allows anyone to use, replicate, and improve the project, fostering community growth and reducing barriers to entry for creators without extensive technical knowledge (like power management). ### Project Details - The installation is a solar-powered light sculpture using an 18650 lithium-ion battery and off-the-shelf solar lights, designed to be modular and strong enough to serve as a bike ramp. ### Design Geometry - The structure uses scissor linkages and features a star-shaped design, which is a fractal of the Burning Man philosophical center. ### Project History & Funding - The team received a $1,500 Civic Ignition Grant; they previously exhibited a similar work, 'Echoes of the Dying Sea,' and have been involved in the Burning Man community since 1997/2000. ### Community & Culture - The open-source approach encourages collaborative evolution of the art and supports the broader community's ability to create sustainable, off-grid art. ![Screenshot at 00:00: The 'Burning Man Live' title card fades in over a stormy sky background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/voA9wQTzUAg/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:07: The partially assembled wooden frame of the structure is shown at sunset in the desert, with one person standing inside illuminated by a central light source.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/voA9wQTzUAg/00-00-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:00: The host introduces the topic of 'Civic Hacking' and the importance of open-source engineering.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/voA9wQTzUAg/00-01-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:22: The structure is shown fully framed but without any covering, highlighting the skeletal, modular design.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/voA9wQTzUAg/00-02-22.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:43: The host mentions the structure is strong enough to be used as a bike ramp, illustrating its robust design.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/voA9wQTzUAg/00-04-43.jpg)