warsaw-based art collective panGenerator was commissioned by tencent to create a kinetic data sculpture for shenzhen bao’an international airport in china. composed of 451 independent modules arranged in a hexagonal shape measuring 4 meters in diameter, ‘the shimmering pulse’ interprets real-time data traffic to create an interactive installation that represents the pulsing life of shenzhen.

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

all images and video courtesy of panGenerator

 

 

to create the piece panGenerator took inspiration from naturally occurring phenomena such as the shapes and patterns of movement that can be observed in a flock of birds and shimmering schools of fish. such phenomena seemed to be a fitting metaphor for the dynamics of the city inhabited by 13 million people, where distinct patterns of behavior are emerging from the independent actions of individuals.

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

 

 

each of the 451 modules react to light projected onto them with spinning motion – revealing iridescent, shimmering rings of color and creating a unique kinetic ‘physical pixel’. that field of shimmering pixels is combined with light projection mapped onto the installation surface to visualize real-time data of the traffic in the shenzhen area – the hexagon is divided into sections corresponding the 9 city districts. the interface allows passersby to scroll through historical data of the traffic intensity and select one of the 9 districts. as a result, the public can observe and interact with the installation in an artful and unexpected way.

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

the shimmering pulse is a kinetic data sculpture created by panGenerator designboom

 

 

project info:

 

project name: the shimmering pulse

location: shenzhen bao’an international airport, shenzhen, china

artist: panGenerator

organizer: tencent T-DAY

operator: OUTPUT

powered by: tencent map

support: shenzhen airport group

 

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: lynne myers | designboom