Gold Fine Arts and Art Installation Design · 2020
Alive Design Object
- A' Design Award 2020 Gold Winner in Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Vilnius Academy of Arts
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 50,299
- Verification code 0014106E7D · Verify this award
About Alive Design Object
Alive is a kinetic art installation created for public interiors, offices and other public spaces. The movement of water, the source of all life, is the main inspiration. The base structure is made of MDF and holds a small, silent motor. The covering is made of neoprene with 2000 plexiglass details attached. The motor stretches the fabric and moves the small details clockwise in slow circles, creating a calm rhythm. Alive follows biophilic principles, which link contact with nature to better well-being indoors. The installation measures 1200 by 100 by 1200 millimeters.
Marcele Kuliesiute's Alive Design Object engages with enduring dialogues between human creativity and natural systems, positioning a precisely fabricated circular form within an aerial view of dense forest canopy to create visual meditation on interconnection, pattern, and belonging. The work participates in traditions extending from land art interventions to contemporary sustainable design discourse, wherein manufactured objects seek not to dominate but to converse with their environmental context. The designer demonstrates sophisticated understanding of chromatic tension, selecting a saturated blue that neither camouflages within nor aggressively contrasts against the verdant setting, instead establishing a relationship of mutual distinction and complement. Technical accomplishment manifests in the object's surface treatment, where hundreds of small raised elements arranged in radiating spiral patterns deliberately echo phyllotaxis, the mathematical growth patterns observable in sunflower heads, pinecones, and countless botanical forms. This biomimetic reference transforms the industrial object into something that speaks the visual language of the natural world, suggesting that design might emerge from rather than oppose ecological principles. The aerial perspective employed flattens hierarchies between object and environment, presenting both as textural fields worthy of equal contemplation, while the precise circular boundary paradoxically emphasizes connection through clear articulation of difference. Thematic resonances extend toward questions of human presence within ecological systems, the possibility of design practices that honor rather than exploit natural models, and the meditative potential of encountering geometric precision within organic abundance. Viewers might consider how the work invites reflection upon humanity's relationship with forest ecosystems, the mathematical foundations underlying both natural growth and conscious design, and the aesthetic possibilities emerging when creators approach the natural world as partner rather than resource.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This dynamic object is based on biophilic design principles, inspired by water - the foundation and source of all life. Alive is designed for public interiors, offices or various public spaces. It is based on the research that rhythm or movement, perceived in nature, creates a strong impression and a positive impact on the human being. Alive provides the vitality of the environment and reminds us to nurture Mother Nature, our home.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Design object consist of MDF construction, motor and neoprene with 2000 plexiglass details attached. Dimensions: Width 1200mm x Depth 100mm x Height 1200mm
- Tags
- alive, design, object, biophilic, movement, nature
- Production Technology
- There were two main tasks in design and production. First, how to create simple, inexpensive mechanics to make the object move the particles from inside. Second task - thinking of the whole covering part - elastic but strong textile with attached small details, expressing the best effect of movement while keeping all particles in place. The base structure is construction of MDF and small, but strong motor. The covering part is made using neoprene with specially designed 2000 plexiglass details.
- Design Challenge
- A few design and technology challenges were met. One of the biggest task was defining the best solution for a theme, concept and what kind of nature aspect should be used for. Also, technology challenges followed. The big question - how to create a powerful, but silent and small technology that would make the installation spin at the right intensity, rhythm, speed. After numerous consultations, research and experiments, all the solutions were found and the installation works as imagined.
- Project Duration
- The project started in February 2019 and finished in June 2019 in Vilnius Academy of Arts, Vilnius, Lithuania. It was exhibited in Titanikas gallery, in Vilnius June-July 2018.
- Operation Flow
- This object is based on simple mechanics, using small, silent motor that stretches the fabric and moves little details as it goes. It goes clockwise, around in circles, creating soothing, calming effect.
- Research
- At first, my main but abstract goal was creating a design that is alive. But I started thinking that it isn’t enough to present the idea and concept in a narrow, only idea driven design. So I started a research to find and justify my idea - it was biophilic design. After a long research and getting deeper into a matter, I found a lot of statistics, data and projects, that proves the need and benefits of biophilic design in our modern, urbanist environments. Mostly there are designs that are applicable for architecture, interior, landscape design, but there is so little product, furniture design on the matter. So, the process started by finding the main and most affecting aspects of nature that could be transformed into a object. After a long path of research, experiments and ideas, I stick to the idea of transforming a feeling of moving water into a design object.
- Inspiration
- Biophilic design is based on the biophilia hypothesis. It is the innate tendency of a person to seek a connection with nature or just love for the living. With the rapid acceleration of urbanization, more and more biophilic design is used to create favorable living spaces in a modern environment, maintaining harmony between the person and nature. It has been proved that the application of biophilic design methods indoors, improves productivity, creativity and well-being.
- Image Credits
- Video Credits: Lukas Keizikas
Colors of Alive Design Object
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Kinetic Art and Biophilic Design Objects
We create dynamic biophilic installations that bring nature's calming movement into modern spaces. Our kinetic art objects enhance wellbeing in offices and public interiors through thoughtful design inspired by natural elements. Winner of the international A' Design Award.
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