Phoenix dactylifera
The kinetic sculpture was created during the bachelor module “Soft Architecture” in autumn 2017. We explored natural landscapes, spaces, objects and materials present on the volcanic island Stromboli of Italy. With this in mind, we returned to Zurich for a more detailed study and further development of the nature-created object. I was fascinated by the extraordinary aesthetics and characteristics of palm leaves, especially the spikes.
The sculpture consists of over fifty individual parts. Their arrangement and the wave-like-movement create a dynamic appearance making the sculpture a living creature. The overlapping of spikes is reminiscent of bones. It seems as if the body is gliding weightlessly through space.
By projecting a shadow on the background, the effect and presence of the sculpture in space is enhanced.
The dimension of the project was a challenge. I would like to thank all my friends who supported, helped and advised me. I would also like to thank my lecturers Roman Kirschner, Bitton Joëlle and Karmen Franinovic, who pushed me to the limits.
volcano and palm
phoenix dactylifera
toxic spikes in the train
back at university
exploitation
working chaos
experiments with flexible materials
plastic turned out to be the wrong material
first prototype
spikes stacked closer
second prototype
connected individual parts with two thin steel wires
painted white
motion study
whole skeleton
sketches of a sound-producing function
sketches of the shadows
simple prototype
the sled
working chasos II
testing the construction
building
hanging up
attaching the sculpture
working chaos III
final stage
plan of the suspension
