teamlab projects universe of water particles on the grand palais

teamlab projects universe of water particles on the grand palais
image courtesy of teamlab

for the art paris art fair 2015, teamlab have transformed paris’ historic grand palais into an immersive, ever-evolving waterfall. the projection-mapped simulation has been calculated by tracking the movement of water falling on a 3D model of the structure in a virtual computer environment. ‘universe of water particles on the grand palais’ is expressed as continuum of hundreds of thousand of droplets that flow in accordance with how the computer calculates the interaction of the particles.

the concept derives from traditional japanese painting of oceans, rivers and bodies of water, expressed as a curvilinear series of lines. these lines give the impression of life, as though water itself were a living creature. based on these ideas, teamlab creates water particles in a virtual 3D environment and expressed the materiality of water as a continuum of particles that flow in accordance with the laws of physics. ‘we thought about how the ancient japanese might have understood space and time.’ teamlab explains. ‘we reasoned that while compiling visual information in their minds, they would have experienced time on a longer axis. stemming from this idea, we created a time lag during the simulation of the particles that left an afterimage. following which, we formed lines from the afterimages.’

the waterfall, projected on the facade of the grand palais in paris
all images by eric valdenaire

the projection mapped installation on paris’ historic building

the concept of the installation the concept derives from traditional japanese painting of oceans

the lines of water give the impression of life, as though is it a living, breathing creature

‘universe of water particles on the grand palais’ is expressed as continuum of hundreds of thousand of droplets