Ondulation Pavilion
Ondulation is a composition for water, sound and light by the artist Thomas McIntosh. It employs a two ton pool of water which is set into motion using sound. Beams of light are projected onto the surface of the water and reflect on to a projection screen.
A pavilion to house the Ondulation installation poses two main questions. How to form a dialogue between the inside space of the pavilion, where the installation is situated and the outside, and how the architecture of the pavilion can strengthen the experience of visiting the art work?
The first question is addressed by using a continuous spiral of translucent fabric that guides that visitor to the artwork, gradually darkening the space of the pavilion as it spirals towards the centre. The same spiralling fabric is used as a projection screen for the moving images of the artwork, offering an integrated experience. The shape of the pavilion is a perfect circle, following the shape of the spiral and reflecting and distorting its context.
To further strengthen the experience of visiting the artwork the floor is shaped like a smooth, waving, hill-like landscape. The floor pushes up and down, creating unique perspectives from which the artwork can be experienced, while at the same time forming a continuous whole. The movement in the floor plane also reflects the movement of water, light and sound of the installation. Using a highly reflective and glossy material for the surface of the floor, an almost seamless transition between artwork and floor (architecture) is created. It will appear as if the floor becomes fluid.
External Links
- www.ondulation.net
- www.futuresystemsprojects.com (check projects, butterfly effect)