THE BEGGINING

Most of our projects start with a question. This time all started with: HOW TO humanize data? HOW TO make a tangible and human kinetic installation ?

We were asked to create an permanent installation based on the insights of the new Central Pacific Bank branding desing. We come out with the idea of creating a kinetic light&sound installation based on one of the most iconic element of Hawaii, the power of its waves. We wanted to create an installation that brings the power of this waves into the new lobby of Central Pacific Bank flagship branch.

USING REAL TIME WAVE DATA | Wave Soundscape Kinetic Installation

The waves and currents of Hawaii have a particular power and size, due to its special location on planet earth. KAI installation uses this data to create an experience rooted on Hawaiian culture.

This installation is made of 48 rain sticks that move in real-time to recreate the sound and movement of real waves off Hawaii’s shores. We use data coming from the national buoy data network to feed the installation, so the installation moves and sound according to wave height, period and direction. We can select a particular buoy from the network in Hawaii and hear and see how waves are in this particular area.

WAVE SOUNDSCAPE KINETIC INSTALLATION

48 Rainsticks.

28’ x 16’ slatted wall with 1 ½” inch timber slats and 1 ½” spacing. *Dimensions based on 8’x4’ module.

Wave power and apparent height in the shore are the result of the combination of wave height, period and direction.

The installation uses this data to move the devices generating different animation patters that create sound and dynamic movements.

THE SOUND OF THE NORTH SHORE IN THE CPB OFFICES

Each of the 48 devices of the instllation is based uppon the rainstick instrument. They have an inner acoustic membrane over wich 600 steel ball roll. When they move the installation recreates the sound of the waves with the real data of the Hawaiian swell. In KAI We use the wave’s height, period, and direction to control the installation. The rainsticks move and sway gently, creating waves in sync and producing the subtle sound of waves in the shoreline.

NATIONAL DATA BUOY CENTER

NDBC live buoy network is updated every 20 minutes depending on the selected buoy. It offers multiple swell data including wave height, direction and period. It gathers data from multiples buoys around Hawaiian island both in north, south, east and west shores.

The system has 14 buoys pre-programmed so the user can change among them to visualize and hear the sound of waves on different locations around the Hawaiian Islands

DYNAMIC LIGHTING

Lights are connected to the motor sensor following the movement of the steel balls within the rain-sticks. We use RGB high end LED light, to fully control color and intensity. As the installation moves, lights moves following the steel balls movement, so it follows the sound creating a light wave.