The inspiration for Roseaux came from a wind-swept spot that was to become a sea of people during coming events. The poetry of a bed of broad-leafed cattails (marsh reeds) lulled by the wind held the visual appeal of an experiential destination that could be adapted to its location. In contrast to the long, graceful stems topped by a spike-shaped inflorescence, we wanted to create playful and very techno, almost urban reeds.
Walking in fields has never been more fun than with Roseaux, a “particip’active” and playfully interactive installation. Composed of individual reeds that rise into the sky, Roseaux invites users to activate the base of the reeds by stepping on sensors, rhythmically propelling myriad colors up the stem. Alone or in a group, the fun and exciting race begins to give the reeds a single, solid color. The visual parade punctuated by a vibrant soundscape in a perfect synchrony of light and sound creates an energizing sensory experience.
We chatted with one of the creators, Diane Hollahan, about the installation.
Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in the North of France, I studied architecture in Belgium, Austria and in France where I got my master's degree. I then pursued a Diplôme d’études approfondies DEA in Architecture, Cinema and Music. I opened my first Architecture studio, Hespace in Bordeaux region, and after a few years I sold my share to my then partner and move to Montreal, Canada where I started a new career as a lighting designer and started UDO Design and 1 ToMn as well as teaching Lighting to the future architects studying at the University of Montreal.
What’s the inspiration behind this art installation?
The inspiration came to us when the organizers of the Osheaga and Ile Sonic festivals in Montreal told us about a problem with signage — this was on the route between the site entrance and the festival site. Halfway between these two poles, there was a poorly landscaped area that was trampled by users during crowd movements. When we looked at the site, we realized that it was located in a large natural area near a river and therefore subject to the wind. We quickly imagined large reeds swayed by the wind and the movement of the crowd that would serve as a call to guide the festival goers to their arrival point.
How were these pieces made?
The size and the quite massive height of the installation was very challenging as well as the light diffusion from the base to the reed. Virginie Simon and Serge Maheu from Creos have done a fantastic job in collaborating with us.
What do you hope guests feel when they interact with this installation?
The goal of filling the reed with your very own light color is wakening the competitive spirit in everyone, whether users want to beat their own speed score or win against other users. We hope the users to get excited, be ready to move and most importantly have fun.
What ages enjoy this installation most?
We were able to see the installation in different cities and we were always amazed to see people of very different ages play together.
Which artists inspire you?
Bruce Munro, Olafur Eliasson and James Turrell.
What projects are you working on now?
We have just completed the lighting design of the Japanese Garden in the Montréal Botanical Garden and we are working on a series of projects using light and kinetic energy.
About the Team
Roseaux was created by 1ToMn in collaboration with UDO Design and Serge Maheu, co-produced by Init and 1ToMn and is tour produced by Creos.
1ToMn (One Touch of Madness) is a young creative company with a crazy touch that designs and produces architectural works as well as ‘particip'active' and interactive installations made to animate public spaces and provide new experiences for users.
UDO Design was founded more than 10 years ago by Ludovic Lefévère, architect DPLG, with the aim of showcase architecture and cityscapes through lighting.
Trained as a computer engineer, Serge Maheu has followed a more creative path that led him into arts and, therefore, to become a multimedia director.
