Objects and architecture are given new life thanks to creations like the Kinetic Wall by Barkow Leibinger, a Berlin-based studio formed by architects Frank Barkow and Regine Leibinger. It is an art installation that mechanically 'breathes,' so to speak. Made out of gridded synthetic fabrics stretched over a wooden frame, it forms peaks and valleys that continually shifts before viewers' eyes.
Presented at Rem Koolhas’s Elements exhibition at the Venice Biennale, the Kinetic Wall by Barkow Leibinger could potentially modulate ventilation systems in buildings. Yet on a more artistic and immediate level, the architects state, "The limited and changing width of the passage ensures an immediate, intimate, and corporal relationship with the viewer/visitor experientially."
The Kinetic Wall by Barkow Leibinger is not the first of its kind, yet it won't be the last as well.
Breathing Inanimate Installations
The Kinetic Wall by Barkow Leibinger Rethinks Interior Landscape
Trend Themes
1. Breathing Installations - Breathing installations that create kinetic movement are becoming increasingly popular for interior design and art installations, creating an opportunity for architects and designers to explore new ways of incorporating movement into their work.
2. Multifunctional Art Installations - Art installations that can also serve practical purposes, such as modulating ventilation systems in buildings, are on the rise, creating opportunities for artists and engineers to collaborate to create innovative designs.
3. Interactive Architecture - Interactive architecture installations that allow for a physical relationship with the viewer are becoming more common as a way to explore the relationship between space and human experience.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - The breathing installation trend provides opportunities for architects to explore new ways of creating dynamic and interactive environments.
2. Interior Design - Breathing installations present an exciting opportunity for interior designers to explore incorporating movement and kinetic art into their designs, creating a unique atmosphere.
3. Art - The integration of practical functions into art installations, such as modulating ventilation systems, provides a creative opportunity for artists to collaborate with engineers and push the boundaries of what art can be.