reiner maria matysik uses cloud machine to transform phoenix lake water in germany

during summer 2016, artist and designer reiner maria matysik, will gather vapor over the phoenix see lake in dortmund germany, through the use of a ‘cloud machine.’ the device works by transforming water into steam which is then released back into the sky. the installation is located on the lake’s northern shore – which has already run through the artificial course of renaturization, the lake is not a natural water body, but is a recreational area created by humans on a former steel plant property. due to the artificial nature of the pavilion and the irony of its location, the project aims to question if we can in fact build towards nature?

all images © roman mensing 

artist and designer reiner maria matysik looks at the dialogue between science and the fine arts within his work. through experimentation into different materials, he forms models of possible future organisms. matysik is interested in the question of what genetic engineering means with regard to evolution and our future altogether and presumes that the borders between plant, animal and human being will become fluid. 

video courtesy of urbane künste ruhr

the ‘cloud machine’ is part of the open-air exhibition emscherkunst 2016 in collaboration with emschergenossenschaft, urbane künste ruhr and regionalverband ruhr. the event itself highlights the current renaturation project which aims to transform the emscher river – located close to the phoenix see – from an open sewer into a natural river. with an overall investment volume of €4.5 billion and a projected time schedule of several decades, the emscher renaturation project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in europe. matysik’s pavilion will be presented alongside other artists and contributors, whose work focuses on the conversion of the river emscher, as well as the urban, industrial transformation and the change of landscape in the ruhr area.

‘cloud machine’ at lake phoenix

‘cloud machine’ mimics the visible masses seen within the sky

‘cloud machine’ at the river rhine

entrance

inside the ‘cloud machine’ 

the installation at night

‘cloud machine’

video courtesy of reiner maria matysik

plan

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: hollie smith | designboom