Client: New Mexico Bio Park Society

Overview

Aurora Clouds is a lighting installation for the Penguin Chill exhibit designed by Ideum at the Albuquerque BioPark. Aurora Clouds uses live satellite data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create a dynamic light display that responds to fluctuations of solar winds interacting with the Earth’s upper atmosphere. As the intensity of the solar energy increases more vibrant colors are seen moving in the overhead display. Aurora Clouds is created with 8,208 individual RGB LEDs behind the fabric panels to create the dynamic simulation.

Process

Aurora Clouds was created as part of Morgan Barnard's Digital Artist Residency at Ideum. Morgan created digital prototypes and software studies during the development phase. Modular prototypes were created and Ideum's Media Systems team performed the installation of the lighting infrastructure..