Ego

2020
Woven kinetic sculpture
Japanese fluorocarbon, robotics
9m x 4.5m x 4.5m (L x W x H)

Ego is a time-based kinetic sculpture, in our signature block form. It represents the rigidness of our man-made systems and how they can become fluid or even collapse. Representing how our hopes, truths, and emotions are a direct result of the rigidness or fluidity of the mind.

A massive woven block, made of more than 16km of hair-thin Japanese fluorocarbon, controlled by motors, allowing the artists to animate and choreograph it. There has never been a block this size woven before, therefore the artists created their own weaving loom. Softwares and algorithms were developed to allow a puppeteer to control each and every move of the block.

Transforming between natural and non-natural states, it gives the viewer a sense of perspective that they can relate to but also shows its vulnerability at the same time. A seemingly rigid shape expressing feelings and emotions, strengths and weaknesses of human perspectives. 

Ego was originally developed for Monteverdi’s Opera L’Orfeo (1608), to be premiered in January 2020, and is a co-production with the Dutch Travel Opera house. Together with director Monique Wagemakers and choreographer Nanine Linning, giving the oldest opera, with modern cutting edge technology.

Read more:
DRIFT – Reisopera
ART news – PACE Live, New York