Birds In Flight

A kinetic sculpture that studies the movements and flocking patterns of birds.

Exhibitions

SEGD NYC

Timeline

2025, 7 weeks

Collaborator

Pepi Ng

Fabrication

Welding, 3D printing, Arduino

Concept

Birds In Flight is a study of motion that explores the intricate patterns and movements found in nature. By observing the complex mechanisms of bird flight, the project aims to experimentally recreates its forms.

Photograph of entire sculpture, showing three rows of birds, each consisting of ten birds.

Kinetic Sculpture

We usually see flight captured in two dimensions - through images or video. By building a kinetic sculpture we want to bring movement back into its original form.

Photograph of three paper birds hanging from the ceiling.

Inspiration

The project is inspired by chronophotography, an old photography technique that captures a series of rapid images to study movement, often of birds. This method of observing and mimicking motion was an educational tool for people to understand flight, and later even replicate flight with technology.

Since its invention, artists and researchers have experimented with new approaches. Below some of my favorite examples.

A black and white chronophotograph of a bird flying by Marey.

Black and white photograph of a bronze sculpture showing different stages of birds flight, similar to a 3D chronophotograph.

Photograph by Xavi Bou showing a bird flying over an ocean at dawn. The bird is depicted with a staggered motion, similar to chronophotography.

Image 1: Chronophotograph by Étienne-Jules Marey (1886), Image 2: Sculpture showing 3D movement of birds by Étienne-Jules Marey (1887), Video 3: Kinetic Sculpture by Arthur Ganson (2007), Image 4: Photograph by Xavi Bou (2013)

Staggered Movement

The key effect of chronophotography is the staggering of different phases next to each other. To recreate this effect, we experimented with different geometric shapes.

Sine Wave (2D)

Helix (3D)

Rotating a sine wave around an axis results in oscillatory motion.

Rotating a 3D helix around an axis results in a spiral staircase-like trajectory.

Each point on the sine wave fluctuates between positive and negative displacement.

Each point on the helix progresses upward or downward.

Click and hold to see the directional movement created by a helix.

Picture showing a pencil drawing on paper of a top and side view of the sculpture.

Prototying

To find the perfect helix diameter, we fine tuned its shape, and finalized the shape of the birds wings.

A photo of me standing on a scaffolding structure to hang something on the ceiling.

Pepi holding the first bird prototype, made from metal wire.

Pepi lying underneath a prototype of a bird sculpture, laughing.

Me holding an Arduino and computer, connected to the bird sculpture hanging on the ceiling.

A photo of me adjusting the height of strings of several birds on a prototype.

Photo of me hanging birds on a prototype.

Photo of me measuring the length of our helix on the floor.

Photo of me sawing apart the Veripole on a table.

Several birds hanging on a prototype sculpture.

A photo of Pepi holding a laptop and Arduino next to a ladder.

Photo of me screwing a 3D print onto the veripole system on the ceiling.

Fabricating final sculpture

The smooth movements of the birds depends on a perfectly symmetrical helix. Because wire is too flexible and unreliable, we fabricated the helix out of steel, by cutting, welding, and bending steel rods.

One of the main difficulties was ordering the correct material (who knew there are so many different types), and finding a maker space with a metal shop (thank you MakerSpace NYC)!

Diagram showing the confusing process of selecting the correct steel and aluminum rods for our sculpture.

Photo of me cutting small metal pieces on the bandsaw to form the weights of the bird bodies.

Photograph of me welding metal rods together to form the helix.

Photo of me using a die grinder to sand down the welded spots of the helix.

Motorizing Movmement

A stepper motor automates the helix rotation. The motor is mounted on a 3D printed structure, and connected to a CNC Motor shield on an Arduino.

Annotated picture of a 3D print that mounts a stepper motor, an arduino, as well as the metal helix with a counter weight.

A Rhino render of different prototypes of the 3D model used to attach the metal helix to the ceiling.

Installation

The kinetic sculpture is mounted to the ceiling with two tension rods (Veripoles). Each bird is connected to the helix with transparent strings, and custom 3D printed clips to make the height adjustable.

Photo of Pepi Ng installing birds to the sculpture on the ceiling.

Photo of me installing birds to the sculpture on the ceiling.

Photo of Pepi Ng and me sitting on yellow scaffolding, installing birds to the sculpture on the ceiling.

SEGD Conference

Pepi and I had the wonderful chance of presenting Birds In Flight during the SEGD Conference at G&A's open studio.

A photograph of Pepi and me standing in front of the sculpture, having a little presentation in front of visitors.

Special Thanks To‍

First and foremost, thank you to Pepi Ng for completing another ambitious project with me. Another special thanks goes out to G&A for supporting us in this project, providing us with time and resources, and encouraging us throughout the process. We were also inspired by previous experimentations at Hypersonic Studio, and Arthur Ganson's amazing kinetic artworks.

Birds In Flight

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