moura, chevalier + schilingi envision monumental virus-like installation within urban centers

leonel moura, miguel chevalier, and jacopo baboni schilingi, have revealed their monumental multimedia installation project, titled ‘viral/vital energy 2020’. in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the artists have been heavily influnced by the appearance of microorganisms and driven by their shared interest in science, they have collaborated in order to create a virus-like installation as a hymn to life. 

all images courtesy of leonel moura, miguel chevalier and jacopo baboni schilingi

the sculpture is inflatable, and at times deflates and re-inflates, symbolizing breathing that allows life. at nightfall, the sculpture becomes a projection surface for a unique generative virtual reality work referring to COVID-19 and other viruses. for this new creation, chevalier is gradually building up a database of 2d and 3d images, of diverse morphology of cells, viruses and bacteria. some of these images were conveyed by olivier schwartz, director of the department virus and immunity of institut pasteur, as part of the organoid program. the sculpture is enriched by an original musical work generated continually and in real-time by an algorithm that translates schilingi’s breathing into harmony and musical structures.

viral/vital energy 2020 responds to the fundamental need to re-create a symbiosis within the living world, especially the invisible world of microorganisms. viruses, which have very bad reputations, ‘are also our friends‘ explains microbiologist patrick forterre, who specializes in giant viruses and has recently demonstrated that viruses have played a key role in our own evolutionary history. in today’s reality that is filled with fear linked to the coronavirus, learning about these microorganisms is essential in order to better understand the future of humanity. ‘viral/vital energy 2020’ is intended to be presented in cities around the world, during popular events such as biennials or various digital festivals. through striking visuals and dynamic sound, radiance and vivid colors, this multimedia installation is envisioned as an impressive artwork to celebrate the victory of life.

music generative and interactive installation – time length equal to jacopo baboni schilingi’s lifetime

generated 3D sculptures by the algorithm by leonel moura

the eye of the microscope 2020, miguel chevalier – generative virtual reality installation

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.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom