montreal based digital artist mathieu le sourd AKA maotik has designed an immersive, interactive installation of real time data inspired by the ocean waves. entitled FLOW, the multimedia environment offers a poetic and playful sensory experience that mimics the aesthetic principles of the rise and fall of sea levels by representing data influenced by temperature, humidity, audience positioning and the pull of the moon.

 

 

 

 

the installation was specially designed for the ‘deep space’ 8K media display at the ars electronica festival in linz, austria. using 8 different 1080p HD active stereo-capable barco galaxy NH12 projectors, ‘deep space’ projects 16×9 meter images onto the wall and floor of the ars electronica center, creating a visceral and inhabitable visual realm. maotik’s FLOW makes use of this technology to create an intelligent data environment where various forms of information can be expressed in a dynamic representation that enhances the viewer’s perception of physical space.

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
the installation is presented during the ars electronica festival in linz

 

 

synchronized with the moon, the ‘sea’ levels change gradually to create an environment offering varying degrees of immersion. the project attempts to envelop the audience in a virtual universe abstract enough to accommodate daydreams, digital analysis and personal interpretation. all the content is designed and run in real time, in an ‘open form’ format that offers various combination options to the interpreter. the installation aims to create a system with a random creation process, governed by a range of settings defined by nature. dictated by nature’s processes, each of the installation’s states becomes unique and inimitable. a responsive soundscape by audio artist lucas paris translates the visual aspect of FLOW into an aural entity, a sonic experience with its roots in natural phenomena.

 maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
the space uses 8 different 1080p HD active stereo-capable barco galaxy NH12 projectors

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
realtime weather data modifies the content

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
11 different weather parameters are used to represent the ocean 

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
an interactive floor allows the audience to generate waves as they walk

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
all the content is designed and run in real time

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
dictated by nature’s processes, each of the installation’s states becomes unique and inimitable

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
sound reacts according to the movement of the waves

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
scanners track the position of the audience

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
a responsive soundscape by audio artist lucas paris translates the visual aspect of FLOW into an aural entity

maotik's FLOW represents nature through waves of real time data
the project accommodates daydreams, digital analysis and personal interpretation

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: peter corboy | designboom