OSCILLATION

GIANT CRYSTALS THAT COME ALIVE THROUGH MOVEMENT

Created by The Urban Conga and powered by Creos, Oscillation is an interactive installation that uses sight, sound, and movement to spark community activity and social interaction through play. The installation acts somewhat like a theremin, an unusual musical instrument that you can play without touching it. As you walk toward the piece, it plays different sounds and pitches depending on your distance from it. And as you move and dance around it, colors reflect and refract light in different ways based on your angle and position. Oscillation is made up of five parts that are deconstructed from a solid cube using a Voronoi algorithm. The crystal-like forms can be moved around and placed in a variety of formations. The result is totally immersive experience that breaks down social barriers and fuels joyful conversations between strangers.

ABOUT THE CREATOR

 As Plato once said, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than a year of conversation,” and those moments are precisely what we strive to spark with this work.   RYAN SWANSON, The Urban Conga

THE ELEVATE PROGRAM

Oscillation is the debut project from the Ann Arbor DDA’s Elevate Program.

Elevate aims to fund public art and placemaking installations that enhance the downtown experience for all people.

The Public Art Commission advises on materials, construction, and other items. The DDA determines project focus, location, and oversees installation and maintenance. The City approves installation.

Learn more about the program and upcoming projects: