Ketleflower is an immersive light and sound installation created with the intention of providing a breath of fresh air and cleansing – an oasis of calm – with a hint of whimsy. Ketleflower consists of a 12ft sunflower sculpture with seeds of swirling, colorful waves of light; an ambient, atmospheric and ethereal soundtrack; a water feature that provides a live falling water soundtrack and ambient lighting to the immersive experience; and a seating area to provide a comfortable opportunity for viewers to relax and engage. The goal of Ketleflower is to express and underscore the need for peace and respite. It’s a reminder of the sublime beauty and power of the natural world. For some, this can provide a breath of fresh air; for others, it’s an opportunity for bliss; and for a few, it’s an avenue toward introspection and perhaps an emotional connection.
Ketleflower v2
Installed Summer 2022 at Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC.
Created in May 2022, the new freestanding Ketleflower was fabricated primarily out of steel, with utilization of foam and fiberglass for the back of the flower head.
It looks fantastic during daytime hours, and the lighting and immersive soundscape turn on at dusk to add a different experience for visitors.
2022 Burning Man Honoraria Art Grant Proposal
I applied in January 2022 for an art grant to potentially make three flowers (with leaves and stems!) and take them to the annual Burning Man event in the Black Rock Desert.
Check out the sweet 3d rendered walkthrough video (sans LED effects)!
And some great 3d render screenshots.
Ketleflower: December 2021
Ketleflower was featured at the Greenway’s “Supernova” public event in December 2021. It once again incorporated a live waterfall water feature – supplementing the ethereal soundtrack with live organic sound in hopes of creating a more fully immersive experience. The waterfall was placed behind the viewing area as a means of being as proximate to the viewers as possible without disrupting the sightlines.
Ketleflower at Engulf 2021
“Sublime, surreal, sensational in every way.”
This version of the Ketleflower experience was the first to incorporate a live waterfall water feature. The goal was to supplement the ethereal soundtrack with live organic sound in hopes of creating a more fully immersive experience. The waterfall was placed behind the viewing area as a means of being as proximate to the viewers as possible without disrupting the sightlines. It was a truly lovely and well-liked addition.
This version was also the first to incorporate original music / sound into the experience. Working with vibraphonist / multi-instrumentalist Viktor Benev, an original score has been composed specifically to pair with the visual Ketleflower experience. Additionally, sound engineer George Ingmire has provided some amazing mixes of captured audio from a trip to the Amazon which includes organic rain forest sounds, indigenous flutes, and creative stereo mixing to make the experience more three dimensional.
Video Intro to Ketleflower
Directed by Bron Moyi with footage captured from Interrobang’s New Years Eve Interrovision 20/20: Optical Delusion event 12/31/19. Audio from Book of Life by Masayoshi Fujita.
“Swimming in Indigo” by Palm Sunday
Also directed by Bron Moyi, the footage of Merle in front of Ketleflower is gorgeous and it was an honor to provide a beautiful element to a beautiful song.
Ketleflower at Engulf 2019
Footage captured from Engulf Burn 2019. Audio is “Ketle 3” by Masakatsu Takagi off of his “Journal for People” album, which was integral in my initial conceptualization of this experience and thus receives a nod from the name.
