2024

Slow Swan Social Club

Slow Swan Social Club is a kinetic light installation created especially for Lichtparcours Braunschweig 2024. Using two ready-made swan pedal boats geared with electric motors, the "swans" move in parallel circles. Their eyes shine red, and follow-spots follow their slow motion in space. The work corresponds to the original idea of the Bürgerpark as a picturesque, idyllic spot for peaceful recreation and controlled consumption of manmade nature. It’s an automated love song, a contemporary nod to the romantic, nineteenth-century image of historical ruins and swan lake choreographies. The swan boats can be perceived as melancholic, forever drawing circles in the dark. Yet the work can also be read as slapstick sculpture, full of humor, surprise, and playfulness. Read the full text by Arkadji Koscheew here. 

Materials:
Ready-made swan pedal boats, e-motors, steel, slip rings, Arduino and DMX control system, motion tracking,
LEDs: moving heads, flood lights, emergency lights
Dimensions variable

Team:
Project management: Mascha Fehse
Mechanism: Nevo Bar
Lights, follow spot system: Eagle Wu
Install assistants: Kfir Goldenberg, Torben Laib, Amadeus
Documentation: Volker Gehrmann, Alona Rodeh
Simulation: Rachid Moro, Cai Siwei

The work was made possible with the support of Richard Borek Stiftung.