Client: Quartier des Spectacles

Location: Montreal, QC, Canada

Completion date: 2015

Artwork budget: $50,000

Project Team

Artist

Louis-Xavier Gagnon-Lebrun

ATOMIC3

Artist

Félix Dagenais

ATOMIC3

Other

Jean-Sébastien Côté

Other

Olivier Gagnon

20K

Other

Sebastien Dallaire

Generique Design

Overview

An interactive installation that allows passersby to be an orchestra conductor for a few minutes, using a baton equipped with sensors. Participants control the fountain’s hundreds of spouts, making the water dance in time with their movements and the music. Spectators gather around, enjoying a dazzling water show while listening to classic pieces by Bizet, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven.

Goals

To achieve the result, ATOMIC3 developed a “smart” baton and a podium fitted with a camera that can sense the range of the conductor’s movements. The data are transmitted in real time and determine the volume of the music and the height of the water columns.

Process

The more energetic and animated the conductor is, the more grandiose the fountain’s orchestra of water jets will be, particularly the central jet, which will spray as high as 10 metres. Several levels of difficulty will allow both first-timers and repeat visitors to have plenty of fun while entertaining the curious gathered around the fountain. Lastly, when people jump in front of the podium, musical elements such as cymbal crashes are added, and certain jets are activated.