Floe

Floe is a kinetic glass sculpture created by four artists and designers from different backgrounds and professions from the Royal College of Art, London; Lida Marinkova (mixed media and textiles), Ozgun Kilic (animation), Oluwaseyi Sosanya (innovation design engineering), Pierre Paslier (innovation design engineering).

"The piece is inspired by formations and movement found in nature, it embodies the shape and movement of ice drifting on the surface of the North Atlantic. The glass structure is combined with a simple wave movement and light bringing life to the piece. An interactive element was essential to the project; the audience influences the movement and light intensity with their presence." See more;

"This is the first prototype of an on going project, using a continuous rotation servo motor(+arduino), a distance sensor to track the presence of the audience in the environment changing the speed of rotation accordingly. A single beamer as a light source adds another layer to the whole - that being random shapes created on the walls as a result of light rays reflecting from/breaking through extremely thin glass layers."

The process started off with Pierre Paslier’s experimentation with kinetic structures using mdf and manual movement, check it out in the two videos [1] [2]

Lasvit Liquidkristal by Ross Lovegrove

Last April the Czech Republic glass manufacturer  Lasvit, presented in Milan at the Triennale Design Museum during Salone del Mobile "Lasvit Liquidkristal" by Ross Lovegrove. This new work is the result of an innovative process that Ross Lovegrove defines as “high precision heat transfer.” Lovegrove worked with Lasvit for more than a year to create the mobile, changing surfaces, inspired by the fluid, organic forms found in nature. The company deployed its most advanced technology to produce the transparent, undulating crystal panels, which appear dynamic, changing, capable of transmuting their shapes in a futuristic kaleidoscope. See more;

"Lasvit Liquidkristal by Ross Lovegrove combines technology and design to create a new architectural product, replacing the enormous monotony typical of large glass structures with natural surfaces and their abundant variety, richness and coherence. Via fluid dynamics, Lovegrove Studio and Lasvit digitally explored large-scale distribution and densification of patterns found in nature. Working with mathematical models, the behavior of glass was simulated under controlled thermo induction. This produced a highly informed line code, which serves as the blueprint for the production process, where highly precise temperature control imbues the glass surface with the beauty of optical effects seen in water. Working with Lovegrove, Lasvit’s research facilities, led by Tomá Kamenec, developed a special flexible mold system to capture this effect. The finished product is highly customisable, allowing large-scale pattern aggregations over multiple sheets. At the Triennale these panels formed a spatial experience where the ceiling is used for projections and reveals the digital beauty of natural observation."