i am absolutely fascinated with the work of dutch visual artist simon heijdens. completely smitten. his interactive projects were born of a concern with how our lives are ever far removed from the natural environment - a "static state" of existence without movement, he says - and a desire to introduce nature back into our surroundings and our awareness. all of his projects involve the element of change (in response to the viewer's interaction), nearly all involve technology, and most involve light. the tree project has traveled around the globe. white silhouettes of trees, approximately to scale, are projected onto buildings. the leaves and branches of the tree change according to the wind and traffic nearby. at dawn, the tree is filled with leaves, and with every passing pedestrian, one falls. if disturbed by wind or movement, the fallen leaves will swirl on the ground. the leaves are also made of light, and so the ground upon which they fall becomes illuminated as well. brilliant!
tree project, milan, italy lightweeds is similar, but these projections are of plants that grow and respond to sunshine, rainfall, and wind as measured live outside the exhibition space. in response to human interaction, the plants will bend and lose seeds and pollenate other areas of the space where they are displayed, creating a "moving wallpaper." wow!

lightweeds, moma, new york
and reed is a group of light elements that bend and sway in response to measured wind outside the display space. sensors attached create a live response in the elements.

reed project
heijdens also creates fascinating work with other materials. go check out his website here to read more about these and other amazing projects.