Vancouver Aquarium Features LED Origami Jellyfish Installation
Vancouver Aquarium is now featuring a truly one of a kind art installation of epic proportions. Jelly Swarm is an interactive origami lighting installation. Vancouver based Tangible Intervention and origami artist Joseph Wu has made this stunning concept a reality. Tangible Intervention specializes in creating sensory installations that stand as participatory experiences. Jelly Swarm is comprised of ninety four “jellies”; each “jelly” is made of laser cut and scored Tyvek that is then carefully hand folded by Joseph Wu. All of the “jellies” are lit from the inside with LED technology and suspended from a reflective aluminum structure. The structure reflects color and light onto the surrounding space.
Jelly Swarm has been installed within the Pacific Canada Pavilion Gallery at the Vancouver Aquarium. Jelly Swarm is a part of Vancouver Aquarium’s holiday program called “Luminescence.” The program invites guests to witness and learn about the light phenomena which lives in the deepest part of the seas. Jelly Swarm was specifically developed to imitate the natural and reactive behaviors of bioluminescent jellyfish, which glow when they have been disturbed. Jelly Swarm is an interactive exhibit in which guests may evoke a response from the jellyfish by moving their hands across plinth-mounted touchscreen interfaces, causing the “jellies” to respond. Each “jelly” is individually programmed; when left alone, the “jellies” will interact with their neighbors, resulting in a luminescent display.
This installation is truly remarkable. This video shows the work that went into making the Jelly Swarm, and gives the viewer an inside glimpse into the installation. What an absolutely unique and magnificent concept.
Project Credits:
Concept: Alex Beim & Joseph Wu
Design: Reynaldo Tortoledo & Alex Beim
Design Assist: Pam Troyer & Kenji Rodriguez
Engineering Consultant: Leigh Christie
Jelly Design & Fabrication: Joseph Wu
Programming: Reynaldo Tortoledo & Pablo Gindel
Electronics: Dong Yang & Mike Manning
Structure Fabrication: Burak Ataman (Flexyshop)
Plinth Fabrication: Ken Sullivan at Vancouver Aquarium
Installation: TI Team & Don Knudson (Vancouver Aquarium)
Electrical: Evan Maxwell (Vancouver Aquarium)
Production: Andy Meakin
Commissioned by: Rebecca Eames at the Vancouver Aquarium
Source: Design Boom
