The project Franchise Freedom by the artist duo Studio Drift explores human behaviour through the collective intelligence of birds and machines.
Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta. Photo: J.W. Kaldenbach.
The idea of the project belongs to Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta, who have spent a few years studying flocks of starlings whirling in the sky. The mesmerising “airborne ballet” made them think about the balance between free will and programmed behaviour (and not just in birds).
They decided to mimic a starling murmuration in the project Franchise Freedom to show how new technologies and math formulas can imitate birds’ behaviour. They are going to launch 300 drones in the sky above Miami Thursday through Sunday. The flock of drones can be taken for real birds from a distance.
A rendering of the installation, 2017. Photo: Studio Drift.
“You’re looking at this beautiful dance in the sky, and what always fascinated us the most was the weird illusion of freedom,” Nauta told artnet.com. “But it’s actually a collective intelligence.” The artists’ meditative project will probably inspire the audience to think about human nature.
The performance is due to begin at 8pm from December 7 to December 10. If weather conditions are bad, the launch will be postponed to 10pm. The show can be observed behind the Faena Hotel Miami Beach at 3201 Collins Avenue. Details are available on Studio Drift’s Instagram account.
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