Challenge
The Victoria & Albert Museum commissioned us to create the Madejski Garden Winter Light Installation for 2008-9, to mark the start of their new digital programme of exhibitions. Besides being an engaging artwork, it had to be weatherproof, and have a presence beyond the Museum.


Process
The ornate courtyard setting opened many possibilities. From screens hidden around the garden, to laser-projection onto the buildingbefore arriving upon using the central lake as the stage - an untouchable audio-video artwork floating above the lake, reflecting into the water.


Development
We developed bespoke audio-visual software using generative processes to ‘grow’ an ever-changing artwork; a continuous upward movement of forms and colours dances to an evolving soundtrack.

Inspired by and in contrast to the artefacts and sculptures of the museum, the artwork was ever-changing. From minute-to-minute, day-to-day it brought a life of its own - from minimal, quiet shyness to wild playfulness.


Delivery
A 4 metre high LED videowall and speaker system was placed above the water, connected to a Mac Pro generating the realtime audio and visual content. The software generates a daily video podcast of the artwork, forever. A series of 20,000 unique generative postcards were printed to promote the event.


Results
The installation had 100,000+ visitors throughout its 3 month stay, the video podcast spread worldwide reaching #2 in the iTunes Arts podcast chart.It has since been exhibited as 6 simultaneous window projections and 800 wall mounted postcards in the SIAD Gallery, Sheffield.