teamLab Planets Tokyo has transformed its outdoor digital monolith into a pillar of fire
Not in Tokyo? There is also a TikTok filter to see flowers bloom wherever you are in the world
Last July, teamLab Plants Tokyo in Japan showcased a Universe of Water Particles Falling from the Sky, a digital waterfall on a monolith-like sculpture outside of a museum in Toyosu. The new interactive public artworks is no longer a calming waterfall and has been transformed into Universe of Fire Particles Falling from the Sky.
Quite the opposite to tumbling water, the new artwork was inspired by flames, which is a phenomenon of light and heat generated by combustion.
“We perceive the flame, which is a sensory experience, as if it were an object and sometimes even feel life in the flames,” as per a description.
The volcanic eruption like bright red and yellow flames is influenced by human presence, like other teamLab artworks. When a person steps onto the floor panel, the shape of the flames changes to create a “black absolute presence” behind one’s feet.
“The flames are represented as a continuum of numerous fire particles. The interaction between the particles is calculated, and lines are drawn in relation to the behavior of the fire particles. The lines are “flattened” using what teamLab considers to be ultrasubjective space.”
Hideaki Takehashi is the man behind the sound design of the exhibition. Other than working on a lot of previous teamLab Interactive Installations such as A Musical Wall where Little People Live and Sound of Life in 2017, Light Chords in 2016, he also soundtracked Ghost In The Shell: The Movie Virtual Reality Diver 2016.
The monolith is located outside teamLab museum Tokyo as a permanent installation and it’s free for every visitor to see. Head to their website for more information.
Not in Tokyo? You can still use their new TikTok filter to see flowers bloom wherever you are in the world.
