The immersive installation, Bodies in Motion is displayed in the historical vaulted warehouses beneath the Milano Central Station as part of the third edition of Ventura Centrale.
In a bold expression of sustainability, Humanscale presents a minimally built, interactive experience that explores the essence of human movement.
Bodies in Motion is a visual metaphor of Humanscale’s commitment to human factors and designing for movement.
The installation highlights their pioneering use of natural ergonomics, which draws upon the laws of physics and motion to design products that automatically adapt to the user’s position.
Humanscale invited long-time design collaborator, Todd Bracher to create a multi-sensory experience at Salone Milan 2019
With interest in exploring new modes of expressing human movement, Bracher tapped Studio TheGreenEyl, a design and research practice with a focus on digital design.
The installation reinterprets the original scientific method of motion perception developed by Swedish psychophysicist, Gunnar Johansson in 1973, which involved placing lights on key points of the human body to highlight movement.
Bodies in Motion applies 21st century technology of digital projection and sensors to collect and communicate data through 15 beams of light that project across the space in a striking visual display.
“ When considering the experience, we looked to strip away cosmetic distractions and reveal human movement in its purest form. We wanted to extend this essential understanding of motion to fill the tunnel at Ventura Centrale in an experience that engages all visitors in the space” ………….. Todd Bracher designer.
Using state-of-the art depth cameras, 15 moving light sources, and custom-designed software, visitors’ movements are translated into a moving light sculpture projected across the space.
Between the interactive states, the installation creates abstract, generative light sculptures; three dimensional architectural forms that shift over time and continuously change.
A subtle tribute to the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci on the 500-year anniversary of his death, the lights display an abstract human frame across a circular screen inviting visitors in upon entry.
photos by David Zanardi
“ This year, we’ve shifted our perspective to showcase our core values and brand ethos. Bodies in Motion gives visitors an experiential understanding of Humanscale’s commitment to supporting free and spontaneous movement, while showcasing our innovative approach to design and engineering in a sustainable way.”…………… Leena Jain, CMO of Humanscale.
Ventura Centrale
Via Ferrante Aporti 29
About Todd Bracher
Todd Bracher is a designer and strategist, known for his irreducibly complex approach to design.
His work, which ranges from furniture and objects to lighting and architecture, strikes a rigorous balance between art and functionality, driven by science, nature and truth.
His studio, founded in 1999 and based in New York City, focuses on brand differentiation for clients including 3M, Cappellini, Fritz Hansen, Georg Jensen, Herman Miller, Humanscale, Issey Miyake, and Jaguar drawing upon the experience and expert network that Todd has built over two decades, including 10 years working, teaching, and living in Copenhagen, Milan, London and Paris.
Todd has been honored as a Top 100 Global Design Influencer by Wallpaper* Magazine, two-time International Designer of the Year, and has received numerous RedDot’s Best of the Best Awards for product design.
About Studio TheGreenEyl
Studio TheGreenEyl is a design and research practice based in Berlin and New York. They create exhibitions, installations, objects, images, interactions and algorithms.
Their work investigates the material and cultural implications of an increasingly technology-driven society.
They explore topics such as computation, machine learning, machine vision, digital archives, and data collection and their impact on individuals and society at large.
Aiming to create visual worlds and experiences that respond aesthetically to these topics requires to deeply understand new technologies and to build custom systems and tools in software and hardware.
In order to engage with an audience of diverse backgrounds, they aim to translate complex topics into tangible, visceral and aesthetic experiences.
The studio was founded in 2009 and has since worked internationally with partners from culture, industry and research, such as the Jewish Museum Berlin, Humboldt Forum Berlin, Pinakothek der Moderne / Die Neue Sammlung, the MIT Media Lab, Carl Zeiss, Disney Research, Universal Music, Holzer Kobler Architekturen, and SO – IL.
Their work has been exhibited at the MoMA New York, Ars Electronica Linz, Bauhaus-Archiv Berlin and at the Design Museum London.
About Humanscale
Humanscale leverages new technology and functional design to transform traditional offices into active, intelligent workspaces.
As the leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic products, Humanscale improves the health and comfort of work life.
Committed to making a net positive impact on the earth as well as its customers, Humanscale’s products designed with a focus on function, simplicity and longevity.
From being a part of the permanent collection at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum to receiving Red Dot recognition for its products, Humanscale has garnered global attention for its design ingenuity and impact.
