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
