NEON has unveiled Chorus Ventus at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha. This kinetic installation comprises 151 curved steel tubes that support flexible fiberglass rods tipped with colored bells. NEON arranged these materials radially to suggest a single organic organism emerging from the ground, with the steel elements shifting in gradient from pink at the center to green at the outer edges. For Chorus Ventus, NEON drew inspiration from the tall-grass prairie ecosystem in North America, of which less than four percent remains intact.
The rods and bells, on the other hand, create a subtle soundscape activated by passing wind. Chorus Ventus invites interaction, as well. For example, a child can reach out and gently vibrate a rod, which will produce a soft bell-like tone.
Integrated RGB lighting gives the artwork a luminous presence after dark. NEON used a bespoke two-layer baseplate to anchor the structure to withstand Nebraska's extreme climate.
Image Credit: Tom Kessler
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Biomimetic Public Art
- Large-scale installations that mimic ecosystems suggest novel interfaces between urban design and ecological education through immersive forms.
- Kinetic Soundscapes
- Wind-activated elements producing subtle tones point to new modalities for integrating ambient acoustic feedback into communal environments.
- Gradient RGB Integration
- Seamless color-gradients paired with programmable RGB lighting indicate opportunities for dynamic visual communication tied to time-of-day and environmental conditions.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Public Spaces and Placemaking
- Parks and plazas embedding interactive sculptures reveal potential for multi-sensory engagement that shifts how communities use shared outdoor areas.
- Landscape Restoration and Conservation
- Conservation projects referencing native prairie forms imply synergies between artistic installations and habitat awareness or fundraising initiatives.
- Outdoor-lighting Systems
- Lighting manufacturers specializing in durable, climate-resistant fixtures show pathways toward integrated art-lighting products that extend usability after dark.
