Adidas

Superstar Spray

A cultural artifact with a robotic painter.

Role

Creative Technologist, Bot Master

Overview

In the Adidas Originals 'Home of Classics' campaign, I led the construction and operation of a custom motorized rail system that was designed to spray paint 2D vector illustrations onto various surfaces. This system enabled the replication and mass production of these illustrations onto different products, including canvas and footwear. I prepared vector files and oversaw the rail's operation during the film shoot and the painting of Adidas Superstar shoes.

The process involved developing and fine-tuning the spray painting modules. The motorized rail, capable of covering an A1-sized paper, received vector illustrations from Inkscape. These coordinates were then translated into movement via a stepper motor, using a modified version of an AxiDraw extension. I engineered a custom spray hose and attached it and a small servo motor to a 3D-printed spray can mount. This setup controlled the release of pressurized spray paint. Overcoming early challenges with pressure drops in the spray system, I implemented a hose with a tight opening and limited length, ensuring consistent and adequate pressure for the paint spray.

This project was a part of Katsu's reimagining of the Adidas Superstar shoe, symbolizing a harmonious blend of human artistry and robotic precision. It aligns with Katsu's renowned work in integrating robotics into art and his decades-long legacy in graffiti.