In the early version of the prototypes, I embedded optical fiber inside the elastomer. The optical fibers expand when inflated, and compress when deflated, like a creature with tentacles.
In another version, I combined rigid structure together with soft silicon to support the form. Nature inspired, the "bones" are grown with Diffusion-Limited Aggregation algorithm in Houdini, and then 3D printed with Ultimaker.
The optical fibers respond to the intensity of light sensed. When the light is far away, they breath peacefully. As the light get closer, they breath rapidly and nervously.
An intimate interaction between the two creatures.
After many experiments, I felt the “bones”, the optical fibers, and the silicon bubbles speak very distinct design languages, and they are too strong individually to put them together. So I chose not to include them in the final design.