3D water matrix, an interface to conceive + display animated liquid artworks

3D water matrix, an interface to conceive + display animated liquid artworks
(above) 3D water matrix © patrik alac

the ‘3D water matrix’ is an interface to conceive and display animated and three-dimensional liquid artworks. its concept is based on an original idea by artist shiro takatani and producer richard castelli and was developed by lumiartecnia, a leading international company specialised in water architecture. the device is composed of 900 computer-controlled electrovalves, which form a square grid of 30 streams of water on each side. the result is a video display of sorts, with a very low resolution – 30 by 30 pixels – but one to which gravity imparts a third dimension, making it a ‘real’ 3D animation.

‘ST\LL’ by shiro takatani for the 3D water matrix

the installation received the merit codaawards winner 2015 in the category “institutional”, after its first presentation at the cité des sciences et de l’industrie in paris, as part of the “robotic art” exhibition in 2014/2015. the two artists invited to create artworks for the matrix were christian partos (se) with “the sorcerer’s apprentice”, an amazing water sculpture and shiro takatani (j) who realised fascinating animations using water drops defying gravity, instead of pixels in “stll”.

‘the sorcerer’s apprentice’ by christian partos for the 3D water matrix

‘ST\LL’ by shiro takatani for the 3D water matrix

‘the sorcerer’s apprentice’ by christian partos for the 3D water matrix

‘ST\LL’ by shiro takatani for the 3D water matrix 

‘the sorcerer’s apprentice” by christian partos for the 3D water matrix (stills)

‘ST\LL’ by shiro takatani for the 3D water matrix (stills) 

‘ST\LL’ by shiro takatani for the 3D water matrix

3D water matrix simulation

electrovalves’s detailed view

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.