In the course of refurbishment works ART+COM was commissioned by Changi Airport Group, Singapore to create a signature art installation for the Departure-Check-in hall of Terminal 1. The sculpture aims to be a source of identity for its location, and provides a moment for passengers to contemplate and reflect despite the busy travelling atmosphere.
Kinetic Rain is composed of two parts, each consisting of 608 rain droplets made of lightweight aluminum covered with copper. Suspended from thin steel ropes above the two opposing escalators, each droplet is moved precisely and seemingly floating by a computer-controlled motor hidden in the halls ceiling. The entire installation spans a total area of more than 75 square meters and spreads over 7.3 meters in height.
Kinetic Rain follows a 15-minute, computationally designed choreography where the two parts move together in unison, sometimes mirroring, sometimes complementing, and sometimes responding to each other. In addition, several spot light sources mounted below the installation create a play of shadows on the terminal’s ceiling as they illuminate the movement of the rain droplets.
The mechatronic implementation of Kinetic Rain was done by MKT, Olching.