technology, Sculpture, and Sound converge in florence
Dutch art duo DRIFT presents Shy Society, a large-scale, site-specific installation in the historic courtyard of Florence‘s Palazzo Strozzi. Part of the Palazzo Strozzi Future Art program, this public art project is realized in partnership with the Fondazione Hillary Merkus Recordati and Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi. Known for its innovative work at the intersection of art and technology, DRIFT brings an engaging new perspective to the soaring courtyard of the Renaissance architecture.
Shy Society is imagined as a dialogue between traditional installation art, sculpture, and performance to transform the courtyard into an interactive stage. Seven large-scale, mobile elements float in the open courtyard space, rhythmically moving in a choreographed sequence. Each element’s movement is enhanced by a contemplative soundtrack created by American composer RZA, which adds a sensory depth to the installation to create ‘an atmosphere of contemplation and strong sensory engagement.’ The luminous work will be on view from October 23rd, 2024, to January 26th, 2025.
DRIFT, Shy Society, Palazzo Strozzi, Firenze, 2024. photo Ela Bialkowska, OKNO studio
floral Inspiration blooms at palazzo strozzi
Within Florence’s Palazzo Strozzi, Shy Society is controlled by custom software designed by studio DRIFT to replicate the organic, unpredictable movements of flowers. Each element in the courtyard expands and contracts in a lifelike manner, mirroring the fluidity and complexity of natural forms. The software adjusts in response to real-time weather changes, integrating elements of the outdoor environment into the performance and underscoring DRIFT’s focus on the relationship between nature and artificial control.
DRIFT notes that Shy Society takes inspiration from nyctinasty, a phenomenon where certain flowers close at night and reopen at dawn. This natural cycle of protection and resource conservation resonates throughout the installation, encouraging viewers to reflect on adaptation in both natural and human contexts. Like flowers adjusting to their environments, the installation is said to symbolize the broader necessity for adaptability in human life, emphasizing the idea of transformation as vital to survival.
DRIFT presents Shy Society at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence as part of the Future Art Program
drift’s Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
DRIFT’s approach combines artistic vision with technical expertise, bringing together software engineers, programmers, and choreographers to develop this complex work at Palazzo Strozzi. The collaboration continues the spirit of the studio, which creates art that bridges nature and technology, blending intuitive beauty with scientific precision. Through these intersections, Shy Society opens a dialogue on contrasting themes such as control versus spontaneity, and nature versus artificiality.
The installation redefines the historical Palazzo Strozzi courtyard as a space for immersive, interactive exploration. Shy Society invites each visitor to become an active participant in this multi-sensory experience, challenging us to rethink our relationship with the natural world and the architectural spaces we inhabit. In the heart of Florence, DRIFT’s work becomes a powerful reminder of our connection to nature and the importance of adaptability in a changing world.
Shy Society transforms the historic courtyard with a luminous and dynamic installation
seven large, suspended floral-inspired elements move in a synchronized dance
a soundtrack by composer RZA enhances the atmosphere of the installation
custom software animates each element, mimicking the movements of flowers in nature
the installation responds to real-time weather changes, highlighting DRIFTS’s focus on nature and technology
