‘reflection’ by ivan toth depeña, on permanent installation at miami’s stephen p. clark government center lobby

visitor movement creates a abstracted flow of colour and light in ‘reflection’, an interactive light installation by american artist ivan toth depeña (founder of airboat studio), designed for miami’s stephen clark government center lobby. constantly transforming, the piece takes as input not only the activity of current visitors but also the memory of past engagements, as well as environmental conditions.

the project consists of six large LED light boxes interspersed throughout the lobby space. infrared cameras capture visitor activity, abstracting the image and displaying it in real-time as a burst of coloured pixels on nearby light panels, reflecting the user’s activity. the displays also alter in hue based on the time of day and the number of visitors present at any given moment.

the software driving the installation keeps a record of past user visits, adding a sense of dynamism even when the lobby is empty. in addition, several columns look outdoors onto a public plaza, engaging with activity outdoors and blurring the boundary lines of space.

preview video of ‘reflection’

‘reflection’ was commissioned by the miami-dade art in public places initiative, funded by the revenue of the city’s west lot parking garage. located on miami’s metrorail line, the government center lobby serves as a commuter hub in addition to the headquarters of many government offices.

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center ‘reflection’, view from north

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center view of active panels from southwest

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center active column to southwest

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center detail view

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center installation view from west

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center view from southwest

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center southern column without user input

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center northern column ‘reciting’ user input from ‘memory’

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center views of northern column, without input (left) and active (right)

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center floorplan render

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center render of installation view from north

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center render of installation view from south

ivan toth depena: reflection installation at miami government center concept sketches