Discovery activities
the secret show!
Please note that this activity is most effective when dark outside.
Radiolarians inhabit the ocean floor and are microscopic organisms. The spectacle of their bioluminescence (their ability to produce light naturally) and the beauty of their silica skeleton are invisible to us!
Here's an example of what escapes our naked eye:
Radiolaria under the microscope
To discover what it's like to witness the bioluminescence of these microorganisms through their complex skeletons of natural beauty, take the Biolumen interactive sculptures for a spin!
First, try your hand at each one.
Then enlist the help of a friend, companion or stranger to rotate more than one cylinder at a time, and discover the symbiosis of light and sound of Biolumen's radiolarian modules.
Observe the colorful patterns created and how they mix together on the floor, then listen to the melodies and how they intertwine to create gentle harmonies!
how it works
Composed of 10 rotating sculptures, Biolumen invites the public to interact by spinning its bioluminescent cylinders for a visual, light and sound experience.
At night, the cylinders light up from within, projecting beams of light through their perforated skeleton, creating colorful pattern. By day, the inner and outer layers of the different-colored cylinders reveal themselves in natural light.
The sound accompaniment emanating from inside the modules is a gentle melody composed by Jaclyn Dumas that evolves with the interaction.
this app is designed for mobile use only
For the best experience, scan the QR code below with your phone.
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