Seaching on the web for diy lamp projects, i had a look at heliox's lamp which had the dimensions / functionalities i had in mind :

I hesitated big time on what machine i wanted  to get into digital fabrication  :
3d printers looks amazing but their slow pace and their use of plastic is a bit of a show stopper for me ( unless i managed to get a full precious plastic (https://preciousplastic.com/ ) filament production line , i don't want to create more plastic waste than i currently do). 
Another obstacle is the price and maybe the learning curve ...

So i set up my mind on buying a 3018 CNC which seems to have a good community around it .

I did my first intership in a rail factory where they had this massive CNC for cutting the rail profiles and it left me a lasting impression .

Plus i have a few  woodworking ancestors , so cnc cut plywood would be my choice !

Now regarding the design, I found the following website fascinating and well documented on how to create amazing mechanical tentacles :

https://www.poormansguidetoanimatronics.com/blog-1/2018/5/12/the-wonderful-world-of-tentacles-part-1

so let's get started!