Aerial
Commissioned by Karel Komárek Family Foundation, Aerial is a monumental public sculpture in Prague, Bořislavka.
Like most of Federico’s outdoor objects, the sculpture directly refers to its location. Historically, one of the main trade routes to old Prague led through Bořislavka. Leading uphill, in the past through forests and meadows, the road in Federico’s mind is a “mountain pass”, a place through which a human being can in relative comfort overcome otherwise difficult natural obstacles. Federico’s main intention was to produce a form closely resembling a natural rock formation, a body of petrified trees, or perhaps an arrangement of underground stalagmites. All these references embody the passage of time, and Aerial represents its course.
Although static in nature, Aerial gives the impression of constant movement. The object is growing out of a pool of water with water gently running down from its top. It aims to imitate the appearance of a natural object when seen from a distance. Upon closer inspection, the sculpture reveals its manmade structure. All these aspects are reinforced by the presence of a virtual layer accessible through an augmented reality interface.
Aerial is made of UHPC using a technique of additive robotic fabrication with ABB robots. This completely new method, developed by Federico and his team over several years, allowed for such a monumental yet subtle structure made without the use of a mould. The team will use the resulting So Concrete technology for future projects.
Like most of Federico’s outdoor objects, the sculpture directly refers to its location. Historically, one of the main trade routes to old Prague led through Bořislavka. Leading uphill, in the past through forests and meadows, the road in Federico’s mind is a “mountain pass”, a place through which a human being can in relative comfort overcome otherwise difficult natural obstacles. Federico’s main intention was to produce a form closely resembling a natural rock formation, a body of petrified trees, or perhaps an arrangement of underground stalagmites. All these references embody the passage of time, and Aerial represents its course.
Although static in nature, Aerial gives the impression of constant movement. The object is growing out of a pool of water with water gently running down from its top. It aims to imitate the appearance of a natural object when seen from a distance. Upon closer inspection, the sculpture reveals its manmade structure. All these aspects are reinforced by the presence of a virtual layer accessible through an augmented reality interface.
Aerial is made of UHPC using a technique of additive robotic fabrication with ABB robots. This completely new method, developed by Federico and his team over several years, allowed for such a monumental yet subtle structure made without the use of a mould. The team will use the resulting So Concrete technology for future projects.
Federico Díaz
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