A field of vertical poles responds instantly to touch, transforming individual gestures into sound, light, and shared rhythm. A single interaction produces a clear melodic tone, while multiple touches accumulate into a layered chorus that evolves as people move through the space. Nautilus behaves less like a static object and more like an instrument—one that invites participation, improvisation, and collective authorship.

Installed along the edge of Pier 17 in Manhattan’s historic Seaport District, Nautilus occupies the boundary between land and water. Its slender, mast-like elements echo the surrounding docked ships, allowing the installation to sit naturally within its maritime context while establishing a distinct interactive field. Visitors are free to wander through the array, discovering how their movement and touch shape the environment.

The installation is composed of ninety-six touch-activated poles, each embedded with lighting and sound. Touching the central portion of a pole triggers a tone derived from the character of that interaction, while pulses of light ripple outward to neighboring poles. As more people engage, Nautilus sequences these inputs, weaving individual actions into a synchronized composition where sound and light remain tightly coupled.

At the center of the field, a circular gathering space is enclosed by a spectrum of translucent acrylic panels. From within, visitors observe the surrounding activity through colored lenses, reframing the collective performance unfolding around them. This secondary experience introduces a moment of reflection, balancing immediacy with observation.

Inspired by responsive systems that sense and translate unseen conditions, Nautilus turns invisible networks into a playful, legible experience. What emerges is a space where collaboration produces something greater than any single action—an environment animated by curiosity, shared discovery, and the choreography of light and sound.

Learn more at TheAtlantic.com/TheNautilus

Find out more about the process:
Spatial sequencer
Photos of the installation