Client: Scottsdale Public Art

Overview

Aether & Hemera studio was commissioned to create an innovative installation for the Canal Convergence event in in Scottsdale, Arizona, 7 -18 November 2013.

The project’s objectives were to celebrate the natural qualities of the canal, bring community awareness to the canal waterfront as a unique asset, and use the entire canal space as a forum for artistic expression.

The brief focused on inspiring people to think creatively about the spaces around them and inviting playful and social engagement in public space.

The final installation, ‘Voyage’ consisted of three hundred floating ‘paper boats’ covering an area of 1000 square meters.

Goals

The etymon of the word ‘voyage’ comes from Latin ’viāticum’, which means ’provision for travelling’; the idea is to allow people to travel and sail with absolute freedom to all the places we care to imagine.

Paper boats bring us in voyages through childhood memories, wishes and imaginings. Paper boats on the water invite everyone to make a transition from reality to imagination, reliving childhood memories and embracing our freedom.

The fleet composes an organic matrix of interactive lights activated by people through their mobile phones; the behaviour of the lights is based on the involvement of the audience thus embodying interaction and encouraging collective involvement.

‘Voyage’ surrounds the visitors with visuals and colours that respond to their actions and therefore enables aesthetic experiences that are unique for each participant, creating a space sensitive to individual and social behaviours.

Process

Aether & Hemera has worked closely with Scottsdale Public Art (SPA) to deliver an innovative floating installation for transforming the entire canal space as a forum for artistic expression.

Aether & Hemera collaborated with SPA staff also to ensure that the artwork responded to all the requirements in terms of Health and Safety regulation, low maintenance and energy efficiency.