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Chimecco Kinetic Sculpture

Chimecco is an interactive instrument and kinetic sculpture by artist, architect, and designer Mark Nixon, which was recently exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus Denmark.

Made from 600 50mm diameter gold anodized aluminium pipes ranging in length from 120 mm up to 3750mm, the pipes are attached to the underside of a bridge, creating a sort of instrument that resembles a giant insect. On the top of the bridge are interactive nodes that allow people to “play” it. The instrument is completed by the combined interactions of human and natural movement, but it can never be experienced in its totality.

According to Mark, the design is based on the idea of music and interaction as a catalyst for conversation and play. Also, the idea that the “hidden” sculpture could, in fact, remain hidden unless the wind were to blog a certain way, revealing itself to the listener. Or, perhaps a passrby would walk right over it, not even knowing it was there. The piece can be experienced in a number of different ways but never in its totality.

Sculpture by the Sea is one of the most popular outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the world in which sculptures are built along the coastline, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers. Along with a team, Mark spent an entire month constructing the giant instrument.

Jaime Derringer, Founder + Executive Editor of Design Milk, is a Jersey girl living in SoCal. She dreams about funky, artistic jewelry + having enough free time to enjoy some of her favorite things—running, reading, making music, and drawing.