Looking for something?

Tap outside or press close

InspirationArt & Culture

Mesmerising kinetic sculpture that mimics the movement of a flock of birds

As you spot birds migrating south to escape the winter cold, consider Diffusion Choir – a stunning kinetic sculpture that uses 400 folding elements to stimulate the movement of a flock of birds.

Written By:
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture with 400 white folding elements suspended in an atrium, simulating the movement of a flock of birds

Plebian Design, Hypersonic and Sosolimited were commissioned by Biomed Realty to design and build the unique artwork for its building in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Housed in the atrium, the sculpture celebrates the organic beauty of collaboration by visualising the movements of an invisible flock of birds. Each of the four hundred elements can independently open and close, controlled by custom software running a flocking algorithm.

The movements are perpetually evolving, driven by the simulation. And over the course of each hour, smaller groups of birds coalesce into a single entity, soaring through the air in fluid unity. At each quarter hour, the birds gather and perform special choreographed gestures across the sculpture.

Sosolimited explains: "The sculpture reflects the collaborative and innovative spirit of the work happening in the building. The graceful breath-like movements of the piece create an open, contemplative space for all the inhabitants of the building to enjoy."

Make sure you watch the video below to see the sculpture in action. And visit www.sosolimited.com to discover more about the Boston-based design and technology studio.

Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture suspended in an atrium with 400 white folding elements arranged in a dynamic formation beneath skylights
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture with 400 white folding elements suspended in an atrium, simulating bird flight movements across multiple building levels
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture with 400 white folding elements in an atrium, with two people viewing it from a balcony below
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture suspended in a building atrium, with 400 white folding elements cascading downward in organic formations above multiple floor levels
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture suspended in a building atrium with 400 white folding elements that open and close to simulate bird flocking movements.
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture suspended in a modern atrium with 400 white folding elements simulating bird flight across multiple storeys
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture with 400 folding elements suspended in an atrium, some open and closed in varying shades of white and tan to simulate bird flight patterns
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture with hundreds of folded white and beige elements suspended from wires in an atrium, with large windows visible behind
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture with 400 white folding elements suspended in an atrium, mimicking bird flight movements, with visitors visible below
Hundreds of white folding elements suspended against a dark background, opening and closing to create a dynamic wave-like pattern reminiscent of birds in flight
Overhead view of Diffusion Choir's 400 white folding elements arranged in a geometric pattern, mimicking coordinated bird flight movements
Diffusion Choir kinetic sculpture with 400 white folding elements suspended in an atrium, mimicking bird flight patterns through choreographed movements
Close-up of Diffusion Choir showing a individual folding element opening to reveal its geometric structure and internal mechanism

Via Creative Boom submission | All images courtesy of Sosolimited

Share

Further Reading