Sydney-based design studio Atelier Sisu has unveiled "Splendour," a spectacular floating installation that serves as the centerpiece of The Other Art Fair Brooklyn, New York. The ambitious project, led by designers Renzo B. Larriviere and Zara Pasfield, represents the studio's continued exploration of what they call "art-chitecture" – an innovative practice that seamlessly blends artistic principles with architectural design through immersive, site-responsive structures.
The installation takes the striking form of a large suspended oculus composed of multiple inflatable oval segments that appear to float effortlessly in the air above Brooklyn's urban landscape. The structure's most captivating feature is its surface, which is entirely clad in dichroic material – a specialized coating that refracts and reflects light in dramatically different ways depending on both the time of day and the viewer's angle of observation.
Throughout the day, "Splendour" undergoes a mesmerizing transformation as natural sunlight shifts across the sky. The sculpture's color spectrum continuously transitions from cool, ethereal iridescence during certain hours to rich, warm tones at others, creating an ever-evolving chromatic environment that responds dynamically to its surroundings. This constant change ensures that no two viewing experiences are identical, as the installation adapts and evolves with the natural light conditions.
As evening approaches, the installation reveals another dimension of its design. Integrated lighting systems transform "Splendour" into a luminous structure that creates striking interactions with Brooklyn's ambient urban context. The artificial lighting works in harmony with the dichroic surfaces to maintain the installation's visual impact even after sunset, ensuring that the piece remains a compelling presence in the neighborhood throughout the day and night cycle.
The work represents more than just visual spectacle – it serves as an exploration of how light, color, and material can fundamentally define and alter spatial perception. Atelier Sisu's design emphasizes the constantly changing relationship between natural and built environments, highlighting how these two realms can interact and influence each other in unexpected ways.
Through its sophisticated optical and structural composition, "Splendour" deliberately positions itself in the space between traditional sculpture and architecture. The installation invites viewers to engage with light not merely as an illuminating force, but as both a tangible material and a transformative experience. The oval segments that form the structure's core geometry create a framework that captures and manipulates light in ways that challenge conventional understanding of how art installations interact with their environment.
This innovative approach to public art installation demonstrates Atelier Sisu's commitment to creating works that are both visually striking and conceptually rich, offering Brooklyn residents and visitors a unique opportunity to experience the interplay between light, material, and urban space in an entirely new way.
