Figure drawing, both in motion and static pose, has been an artform for years. However, while a static pose is easy to translate into three dimensional form like someone sitting, standing or sort of frozen in time, capturing the actual form that movement takes is not.

Raphael Perret, a scientific assistant at the IAD program at ZHdK focused on interface theory, hardware interaction and real-time video processing sought to overcome the disadvantage that the three dimensional form has in capturing the actual act of motion as well as to find a way in which the viewer can physically experience this space. The latter is intriguing to me – to get inside the space of movement. Movement AS space.

What emerged is what Perret calls Project Bodycloud and he explains what fueled the desire for this project:

About ten years ago, I visited Brazil with my Capoeira club. The way, how incredibly elegant Mestre Corisco moved through space impressed me deeply. Since that moment, I was dreaming of doing a sculpture from movement.

The goal is to produce the sculpture in lifesize as a positive and negative. The latter meaning a solid block with the movement carved into the material. So the visitor can crawl into the space and explore it with the body.

Below are some videos of the process. First, motion sequences were captured then translated in the computer. From there, a continuous volume was rendered and then 3-dimensionally printed as a mini sculpture, like shown at the top of this post.

Milton #10.2.1 from Raphael Perret on Vimeo.

Milton #10.2 (Actor) from Raphael Perret on Vimeo.

Below are several rendering studies of the movement from different sequences as well as more information about the purpose of this project:

Human movement space is defined as the space a person appropriates by means of his or her movement, a space that is constantly expanded as the person moves. I am interested in movement spaces because it reflects the personal usage of space. Despite its habitual and daily character, this process can be cultivated and developed according to a person’s talent and physical ability. Along these lines, the personal appropriation and design of space starts with one’s body. In order to visualize this constitution, I choose the process of materialization into a sculpture. Thereby, I will try to the render this essentially ephemeral movement space tangible.

images via Raphael Perret

Folding laundry can be a rather boring task – or perhaps it can be inspirational? Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto found inspiration in fabric like lycra netting that could become dripping forms that contain a myriad of smells for those who came in contact them. The freshly ground spices of pepper, cumin, cloves, ginger and curcuma emit a mix of aromas when brushed against by a user passing through and interacting with the hanging forms. The artist hopes to conjure up images of the familiar or the forgotten. I not only find the forms to be quite lovely but the apparatus that they hang from in his site-specific piece, “While Nothing Happens” to be exquisite and so fragile yet strong at the same time. This piece, which seems to invite touch, hung from the the glass ceiling from May 2008 – February 2009 at the Museo D’arte Contemporanea Roma (MACRO).

About the piece, from Macro:

The artist’s aim is to break down the distances between the visitor and the work of art, creating a sort of mystical experience through the discovery of the almost living breathing of these huge creatures with their transparent and harmonious shapes.

Neto’s works form shapes that also break down the barriers between art and life. As he himself states, he creates “an art that unites, helping us interact with others, showing us the limits, not as barriers but as a place of sensations and of exchange and continuity.”

images via MACRO

In St. Gallen, Switzerland there is a different kind of outdoor space…one that acts more like a comfortable indoor living room. Or perhaps the rec room of an artist. Designer Carlos Martines collaborated with artist Pipilotti Rist on this unique public plaza. The entire outdoor space has been blanketed in red for a plush and vibrant look that speaks more toward pedestrians that vehicles which adds to the warmth.

The red carpet flows through the space and over everything in its path including seating elements, water features, vehicles and walls. Curvacious benches and water features call out to passersby, encouraging them to sit and linger.

Even the areas designated for cars and bikes is artistic and bold and yet subtle at the same time. No confining lines, just a simple pattern in the shape of the object that should sit within. One of my favorite details.

Vehicles become play things…

Even drains get to take on a bit of color…

Even the lighting takes on an artistic, yet indoor feel. The orbs hang overhead helping to make the space feel even more intimate and pedestrian in scale.

images via thomas mayer