MILAN – From France, which is still reeling from the Paris attacks, comes a next-generation technology that can enhance the potential of water through three-dimensional volumetric shapes. This new and original DWC (digital water curtain) belongs to the “Robotic Art” exhibition, on display at Science City in Paris. This unique piece can move people through its incredible evolution.
3D Water Matrix
3D Water Matrix (Matrice liquide 3D, in French) is a robotic machine that creates water sculptures in real time, giving life to a continuous evolution of shapes and images. This installation creates ephemeral sculptures and captivates the viewer with a constant exercise of observation, and is almost a metaphor of the famous river of Heraclitus where “everything flows, everything changes, nothing remains”. The machine consists of a small pool where the “waterfalls” are controlled by a computer, which regulates the flowing liquid through 900 valves. In this way, the liquid stream generates a waterfall that defines a very low resolution video of 30 x 30 pixels, where the third dimension is actually controlled by the force of gravity. Everything is produced in front of your eyes, animated by strobe lights that are pre-programmed using a computer system, giving the impression that the water stays magically floating in the air.
Idea formed in 2001
Shiro Takatani and Christian Partos are two internationally renowned digital artists who have developed the works of art for this robotic art exhibition. The idea for the 3D liquid matrix was born in 2001 during a visit to Lille, the 2004 European Capital of Culture, where Shiro Takatani had projected messages using a “robot fountain”, letting a string of liquid letters fall into the pond below. Shiro Takatani recreates a spatial experience, with parallel layers of droplets that appear to magically float in the air. Meanwhile, Christian Partos creates sequences of three-dimensional water sculptures that demonstrate the DWC’s ability to instantly generate an ephemeral water shape.
You can experience the emotion of “Robotic Art” in this video.
by editorial staff
