miguel chevalier’s digital arabesques adapt to visitor’s movements
all images courtesy of miguel chevalier
miguel chevalier was influenced by moroccan culture when creating ‘digital arabesques 2015’, a generative and interactive installation shown in association with four french institutes in morocco. the work recreates moroccan artistic traditions with a digital medium, creating massive sensor-controlled carpets of light. multicolored digital scenes compose patterns reminiscent to the art of zelliges, arabesques, mosaics, and the world of mashrabiya–latticework.
two designs side by side
sophisticated geometrical patterns create a scene that forms and deforms in a living, constantly renewing environment. when viewers interact with the piece they create disturbances–monitored by infrared sensors–that radiate through the patters and form unpredictable compositions.
video courtesy of claude mossessian
the work harks back to the idea of trompe l’oeil, disturbing the perceptions of visitors by creating the sensation of a continuously shifting floor. chevalier also heavily referenced the kinetic/op art movement artists such as victor vasarely, whose work predated the digital art of today.
a user interacts with the space
patterns fluctuate under the visitor’s feet
mathematical formulas and infrared-sensors control the floor
the floor compliments the location’s architecture
an unlimited amount of people can participate
change occurs after even the smallest movement
designs are influenced by zelliges, arabesques, mosaics, and latticework
lights on the floor
an infinite amount of possibilities can occur
installations:
dar batha, fes (morocco)
fes french institute
february 27, 2015 to march 5, 2015
garden of french institute, agadir (morocco)
march 10, 2015 to march 20, 2015
dar benjelloun, tétouan (morocco)
french institute of tétouan
april 3, 2015 to april 15, 2015
derb lâalouj, essaouira (morocco)
french institute of essaouira
april 22, 2015 to may 3, 2015
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