MIT’s Kendall Plaza becomes a canvas for the ocean of dreams installation
In an innovative display, US-based designer Behnaz Farahi and the Critical Matter Group at the MIT Media Lab projected a videographic ocean onto Kendall Plaza for the university’s first-ever Future Fest symposium. The immersive installation, titled “Ocean of Dreams,” brought the ocean’s ebb and flow alive in a central square of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This immersive display vividly captured the imagination of its spectators.
Deploying two Panasonic 30,000-lumen laser projectors from the MIT Museum’s rooftop, Farahi created a hyper-realistic depiction of the ocean. This was enhanced by crowd-sourced messages featuring hope-filled phrases like “end to all wars” and “end poverty,” each representing a collective vision for a better future. The project engaged participants from over 400 international backgrounds, making this a truly global art installation.
A tapestry of international voices and marine imagery
Oceanic visuals were extracted from renowned photographer Jan Erik Waider, while the auditory experience was enriched by ambient tracks from musician Justin Boreta. The installation spanned approximately 2,850 square feet, inviting passersby to physically walk through a tapestry of vibrant projections and evocative sounds. The experience provided an immersive environment that beautifully blended sight and sound.
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Farahi’s work transcends traditional design by proposing bold futures. “Ocean of Dreams approaches hope not as passive optimism, but as a form of agency,” she explained, advocating for an active role in creatively imagining the future. The installation thus served as a catalyst for new ideas.
Challenging future narratives at Future Fest
As the centerpiece of MIT Future Fest, the project underscored the importance of reimagining our futures rather than predicting them. Farahi describes design as a medium to question, “what could be otherwise,” urging people to think about the futures they wish to craft. The immersive display played a pivotal role in this visionary discourse.
The festival, led by MIT Museum director Michael John Gorman, gathered MIT scholars and external thinkers to discuss groundbreaking technologies focusing on maritime themes. Gorman praised Farahi and her team for their swift execution of the project, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to the event.
Technology meets creativity in a swift execution
“She and her students pulled that together in three weeks just for this,” mentioned Gorman, reflecting on the collaborative effort made in support of the festival.
Among other sensory exhibitions, the festival also featured Aesop’s innovative display of paper books mimicking temporary perfumeries and a vibrant kaleidoscopic setup within a New York skyscraper, highlighting interconnected narratives between technology and art.
Future Fest ran from 30 September to 4 October in Cambridge, Massachusetts, inviting forward-thinking engagements in architecture and design. For more inspiring events, visit the Dezeen Events Guide.
Sources & Links
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Behnaz Farahi’s ‘Ocean of Dreams’?
‘Ocean of Dreams’ is an immersive installation by Behnaz Farahi that projected a videographic ocean onto a central square at MIT. It featured ocean visuals and crowd-sourced messages representing hopes for a better future.
How were the ocean visuals in ‘Ocean of Dreams’ created?
The ocean visuals were created using two Panasonic 30,000-lumen laser projectors. The imagery was sourced from renowned photographer Jan Erik Waider.
What was the purpose of the MIT Future Fest?
The MIT Future Fest aimed to reimagine futures rather than predict them, gathering MIT scholars and external thinkers to discuss groundbreaking technologies with a focus on maritime themes.
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