Moza1que

source: lab-au

about:
m0za1que
(Mosaique is the French spelling for mosaic)

Conceived for the “Centre de la Ceramique” at Limoges, France, the competition proposal for a permanent installation follows LAb[au]’s precepts of generative processes actuating lights and kinetics, which in this case is related to the behavior of ceramic square tiles. This seemingly flat tiled wall in the entrance hall of the building plays with surface properties, light and shadows, and bi-state positions. White diffusing ceramic tiles pop out by just a few centimeters while the attached solenoid is energized. As the flat surface is embossed by actuated tiles, the uniform and even white light is interrupted, projecting shadows, outlining the patterns formed by the binary state logic of the generative algorithm.

The resulting mosaic can be compared to the electro-magnetic functioning of a memory slot in computation logics. The-so called ‘place holder’, having here the size of the matrix of tiles, can be filled with binary data and where this magnetic action leads in the installation also to physical motion. Information emerges not only out of the binary state but out of the relative position of the tile in the matrix. What in terms of computer logics is referred to as sequential data becomes here spatial data.
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source: lab-au

LAb|au| developed a transdisciplinary and collaborative approach based on different artistic, scientific and theoretic methods, examining the transformation of architecture and spatio-temporal structures in accordance to the technological progress within a practice entitled ‘MetaDeSIGN’. Metadesign [ meta = information about information ] displays the theme of space-constructs relative to information processes – architecture as a code. It concerns the transposition of inFORMational processes in n-dimensional form.
Founded in 1997 and based in Brussels, LAb[au] mainly creates interactive artworks, audiovisual performances and scenographies, for which it develops its own software and interfaces. Its four members (Manuel Abendroth, Jerome Decock, Alexandre Plennevaux and Els Vermang) also run since 2003 a digital design gallery, ‘MediaRuimte’, in the centre of Brussels.
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source: lab-au

moza1que is a permanent artwork for ‘La Maison Mécatronique’ in Annecy-Le-Vieux, France. The main wall of the entrance hall 3.4m x 6m is divided in 26×15 squares. Each of the 390 tiles is motorised by a linear actuator with a range of 10cm. The individual control of the motion creates different three-dimensional reliefs of geometric patterns evolving following the logics of cellular automata.

During day these programmed motifs draw black shadows whereas in the evening they draw coloured shadows: The illumination by three light-projectors in primary colours of red, green, and blue leads to a global white illumination of the wall but the tiles’ shadows appear in the secondary colours of light. These coloured surfaces appear and disappear according to the tiles’ movement.

The artwork relates motion with colour through the phenomena of light; while it’s mechanic and electronic system is exemplary for the very function of the building.