Introduction: A Tutorial in Ghostkubes and Other Kinetic Art

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About: We make a bunch of random stuff, mostly crafts

I've always loved Erik Åberg's Ghostukubes, kinetic sculptures made out of cubes hinged together that can transform, collapse, expand, and even walk along the ground! You can view his work here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostkube/ghostkube. The boxes are relatively easy to make but we're simplifying this by using brown paper craft boxes. The most critical part is hinges to connect the boxes.

In this Instructables tutorial, you will learn how to make a cat out of similar forms of kinetic art, including a Ghostkube, an infinity cube, and a structure that lights up when it is transformed into a leg.

Supplies

Small rubber bands (here we used the ones from a Rainbow Loom set)

Beads (any beads will work, preferably ones with bigger holes for easy work)

24 Small Gift Boxes 50 Pack 4x4x4 Brown 

Step 1: Make Hinges to Connect the Boxes

Take two beads and one rubber band. Take one end (A) of rubber band through the hole of the first bead. 

Next, put the other end (B) through the first end (A).

Lead end B through the second bead.

Loop the end B over first bead.

Flip over.

Split open the rubber bands that are together on one of the two beads, wrap it to the other side of the bead and stretch.

Same process for the rubber bands on the other side. 

Repeat the process and make many as needed.

Step 2: Install Hinges

Insert one bead in the corner of one box, and the other end of bead pair to the corner of the other box.

Step 3: Connect Every 4 Boxes Into a Set of Square Loops. Make 6 Sets.

Connect every 4 boxes in a loop with box-tops facing outside. Make 6 loops.

Step 4: Connect 4 Groups of Square Circles

Stack 4 groups of square circles in alignment as shown (all box-tops facing outside aligned). Connect one vertical aligned box-tops from bottom up.

Step 5: Install Top Square Circle

Install hinges as shown for top square

Step 6: Install Bottom Square Circle

Install hinges as shown for bottom square

Step 7: Make Infinite Cube

First connect every two boxes together as shown at the bottom sides.

Next, connect every two pairs of boxes together as shown, A to A’, B to B’: C to C’, D to D’.

Flip so that the box lid layout as shown, then connect: E to E’, F to F’; G to G’, H to H’.

Step 8: Have Fun!

Here's a video of a guy manipulating the infinity cube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z87c4tqYx7Q and the other one can be found here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostkube/ghostkube around halfway down (just Ctrl-F and search for "GHOSTKUBE MA-3". But I encourage you to just mess around and see if you can figure out the transformations yourself!


A way to take this project above and beyond is to paint the Ghostkubes: https://youtube.com/shorts/oeFQ2CzvvPw?feature=share. Maybe you could make them reveal a hidden image when transformed!