Visual Art · Fabrication
As A Dove
An interactive tactile and kinetic sculpture of a floating dove — integrating heat, magnets, airflow, carpentry, 3D printing, and light to create a dynamic participatory experience.
The Sculpture
As a Dove is a kinetic sculpture that invites viewers to encounter a complex system of forces through touch, proximity, and subtle movement. A bird form, inspired by a dove, appears suspended within a wooden structure, held in equilibrium by a balancing act of magnetism, gravity, and tension. No single force dominates, rather, the sculpture exists through continuous negotiation between these elements.
Embedded magnets attract the bird upwards, while a gentle upward current of air and a localized source of infrared heat introduce additional tactile components. As visitors interact with the work by touching, moving closer, or altering airflow, the system responds in small but meaningful ways, revealing its internal logic through experience rather than explanation.
Birds feel the sun's heat on their wings, ride updrafts, and sense the Earth's magnetic field to navigate — experiences entirely outside human experience. The piece draws on that biology alongside two symbolic references: the dove as the Holy Spirit in Christianity, and the Hermetic phrase "As Above, So Below." Both point to the same idea — much of what shapes the world operates beyond what we can perceive.
Structure
Carpentry & 3D Printing
The body and armature combine hand-cut wood joinery with 3D-printed components, merging traditional and digital fabrication into a single form.
Motion
Magnets & Airflow
Magnetic fields and controlled airflow give the dove its characteristic float — a physical suspension that reads as stillness but is continuously maintained by active forces.
Sensation
Heat & Light
Radiant warmth and embedded lighting create a sensory envelope around the sculpture — making the interaction felt before it is fully seen.