CYSP 1 by Nicolas Schöffer

This mobile kinetic sculpture is considered the first cybernetic sculpture. CYSP is short for “CYbernetic SPatiodynamic.” The piece, whose electronic brain was built by engineers at Philips, used microphones, wheels, motors and cells that responded to their environment. The structure could, for instance, navigate between obstacles. Schöffer’s work sought to merge the theories of cybernetics with artistic creation. His Lumino-Kinetic sculptures used light, movement and sound to demonstrate kinetic principles.