kinetic moving maze by nova jiang

‘landscape abbreviated’ moving maze by nova jiang image © raymond yeung

new york-based chinese artist nova jiang has conceived ‘landscape abbreviated’, a kinetic maze consisting of rotating planters to form a garden, merging the elements of nature and machine. the installation is composed of multiple pods of greenery, controlled by a software program that continuously generates new maze patterns based on mathematical rules. the modules twirl and pivot to form ever-changing pathways that encourage visitors to change direction and viewpoints as they move through the space.

the modified pots contain live moss collected from the sides of buildings, cracks in the pavement, subway grates and other urban nooks and crannies of new york city’s terrain, inviting the audience to interface with their environment in an interactive way.

jiang says of her work:

‘I am interested in the way that simple interventions can make the experience of space dynamic and unpredictable. I envision this sculpture not as a classical labyrinth built to ensnare, but rather as an architectural abbreviation of grand ideas. in this way, the maze relates to literature, mathematical beauty, game play and the rigor of software programming, as much as it does to architecture and landscape.’

a video demonstrating the interactive qualities of the maze

a kinetic maze consisting of rotating planters to form a garden, merging the elements of nature and machine image © raymond yeung

the modified pots contain live moss collected from the urban nooks and crannies of new york city’s terrain image © raymond yeung

image © raymond yeung

image © raymond yeung

image © raymond yeung

image © raymond yeung

a video demonstrating the interactive qualities of the maze

project info:

curator: gabriel de guzman commission: wave hill sunroom project space special thanks: jacob tonski & greg witt software: olov sundstrom camera: raymond yeung sound: maria chavez

via the creator’s project