My fascination with butterflies started 2017 summer in Arnhem.

I was visiting the Netherlands for the first time to see my friend, while thinking of studying here.

During this trip, as my friend loves animals, we went to the Burger Zoo together.

And that’s how I entered the butterfly garden for the first time.

The moment I stepped in, I was in full shock.

I just stood there, mesmerized by the dozens of butterflies fluttering around me. As big as fists. As light as disposable tissues. Like the ones you blow your nose at.

Moving as if they are not bound to the concept of time. Moving around so easily, pushing the air so effortlessly with elegance.

While preparing for the graduation show, this memory sprung up again.

YES!
Perfect excuse to dive into this fascination.

But with a slight twist! Like...🤔 butterflies with QR codes!!

This idea came from one specific scene from the movie that was stuck in my head forever. The flying keys from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001).

I thought: what if instead of keys, lots of lots of QR codes?!!

I mean, imagine people chasing QR code butterflies with their smartphones.

Just picturing them awkwardly chasing and trying to scan the fleeting butterflies tickled my brain and made me laugh.

Starting with the butterfly toy brought from Korea as a reference, and with help of Joseph Knierzinger, I decided to reverse engineer this toy.

I mean, how hard it could be…?

Well, as a person who knows very little about programming languages and has almost zero background in electronics, the making process of this QR code butterfly was continuous

frustrations...
compromises...
tweaking...
failures...
twist and turns..
lots of yoga practices...
many sighs...
and acceptances…