Electronic Art: Silo 468

Silo 468 by the Lighting Design Collective
Photographed by Hannu Iso-oja, Tuomas Uusheimo, and Tapio Rosenius

The city of Helsinki, Finland tapped Madrid-based Lighting Design Collective to convert an old oil silo into a civic space and light display inspired by the prevailing winds and the movement of birds in flight to commemorate being designated the World Design Capital of 2012. The silo’s walls were perforated with 2,012 holes that result in a mesmerizing light show in Helsinki’s Kruunuvuorenranta district.

"The art piece will convert a disused oil silo into a wondrous light display and a civic space. Public will gain access to the vast interior of the 36 meter diameter 17 meter tall steel silo which will be dark red inside. Sunlight will fill the space with dappled shadows creating a spectacular daytime space. At night 1,250 white LEDs flicker and sway on the surface of the silo controlled by a bespoke software mimicking swarms of birds in flight—a reference to the silo´s seaside location. The prevailing winds, well known to those living in Helsinki, are used to trigger different light patterns in real time."

  

SILO 468 URBAN LIGHT ART PIECE FOR CITY OF HELSINKI