Satellite Swans: Interactive swan sculptures brought to life by sound, wind and water

For his unusual installation titled Swans, Berlin-based musician and multimedia artist Marco Barotti merges technology and art to create eight floating swans, crafted out of satellite dishes.

Brought to life by sound, wind and water, these interactive animal sculptures float peacefully in a pond, blending perfectly with the surrounding nature. Speakers installed above the bases of the former satellite dishes serve as the animals’ heads. Two layers of sound design consisting of bass frequencies and human breath passing through brass instruments provide them with voice and motion. Eight individual audio channels are used to transport the sound through the swans, bringing them to life and remodelling the landscape.

Although swans might seem harmless and naive, there is a clear sense of irony with Barotti's installation, with the satellites representing our wasteful society and the power of mainstream television and mass media.

As he explains: "This image provokes both a sense of revulsion and an intimate feeling of familiarity, serving as a hack of the natural environment while challenging the audience with its amalgamation of tech waste and wildlife. The omnipresent hand of humanity is unmistakable in its role as a kind of god in the same way that humanity relates to nature."

Make sure you watch the video below to see the Swans in action. Or visit www.marcobarotti.com to discover more of Barotti's work. He'll next be exhibiting in Iceland.

Share

Get the best of Creative Boom delivered to your inbox weekly