millimètre grips visitors with hypnotic particle clouds at le laboratoire, cambridge

presented at le laboratoire in cambridge, USA, the ‘life in picoseconds’ exhibition has featured the immersive ‘atom screen’ installation by parisian design agency millimètre. the project is a continuation of the studio’s extensive research carried out since 2014 on clouds of moving particles, and how they respond to certain triggers. 

view of the atom screen installation
image © millimètre

millimètre offers a unique screen experience at le laboratoire that visually guides the audience through a murmuration of particles moving in chaotic and prescribed ways. in the end, unusual and abstract representations are produced — conveying emotive, artistic and scientific impressions. from a R&D point of view, this prototype explores the interactions between antagonist phenomenons such as gravity, static electricity and fluid mechanics. to ensure harmony, a tailor-made software monitors swarms to play as a musical ballet.

the millimètre atom screen with charles reilly’s movie projected on it

during the exhibition, particles rush in ceaseless motion which provide a kind of thermal agitation to the original film ‘life in picoseconds’ by scientist charles reilly from the WYSS institute. a clash of vivid colors and textures seem to be complementing the dark buzzing cloud of atoms, creating hypnotic visuals in the end. 

the life in picoseconds exhibition presented at le laboratoire in cambridge

the screen structure, produced by millimètre, is made of an aluminum frame, fans, carbon PS balls and transparent plastic sheets. finally, movements are generated by a custom made program developed by ZPLUS. 

atom screen | life in picoseconds exhibition
video © millimètre 

movements and simulations are generated by a program from ZPLUS

visitors looking at the screen during the opening party
image © leo march

the screen includes aluminum frame, fans, carbon PS balls and transparent plastic sheets
image © millimètre

jet screen 
video © millimètre

detail of the simulation with charles reilly’s overlapping movie

the vivid colors seem to be sprouting from the buzzing cloud

the overall experience offers emotive, artistic and scientific impressions

close up of the cloud particle motions
image © john kennard 

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.

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