When a person moves within this environment, their movement is tracked by sensors that communicate via computer with the projectors – thus movement creates a visual vortex – expressing the movement of each person in the space as a continuum of digital particles. The faster each person moves, the stronger the vortex becomes. If a person is not moving or there are no people present, no visual flow occurs. As such, this work of art is born of and continues to transform under the influence of people.
Vortices are the hallmark of nature – defining global weather, oceans and the microclimates of cities. In the sea, vortices caused by weather and thermal change flow eternally, pushing the carcasses of organisms that have sunk to the sea floor upwards, producing areas of nutriment and diversity. Moving creates vortices and vortices create movement, 2017, melds digital design with contemporary art practices to extend teamLab’s ongoing explorations into the digitisation of natural phenomenon.
Moving Creates Vortices and Vortices Create Movement
teamLab, 2017, Interactive Digital Installation, Endless, Sound: teamLab
When a person moves, a force is applied in that direction. As a result a flow occurs. When a fast flow occurs a rotation phenomenon is produced due to the difference in the flow velocity around it, creating a vortex.
Flow in the artwork is expressed as a continuum of numerous particles and the interaction between the particles is calculated. Lines are drawn according to the trails of the particles. The cumulation of lines that represent the work are then “flattened” in line with what teamLab considers to be ultrasubjective space.
The faster the person moves, the stronger the force is applied in that direction. If a person is not moving or there are no more people, no flow will occur and nothing will be present in the space.
Works are born and continue to transform under the influence of people's movement.
In the ocean, complicated terrain such as an island produces flow velocity difference and a vortex is generated. Vortices swirl up the carcasses of organisms sunk to the bottom of the ocean, producing nutritious seawater. This becomes a source of nutrition for plankton to grow and nourishes the sea life. Vortices therefore contribute to enriching the ocean.
