VIDEO: BMW Museum takes "kinetic" to a new dimension
Some designers engage in strange practices to gain inspiration for their next big creation, but the creative types at the Bavarian Motor Werks had to have some serious... bearings to whip up its newest ode to "kinetics." After the jump is video of 714 metallic spheres that appear to be floating in mid-air in the new BMW museum. The display is pretty wild and we have no idea how it was done, but it's worth taking a look at. You may want to supply your own tunes though, as three-minutes of elevator music will make you want to apply your finger nails to the nearest chalkboard. Enjoy!
[Source: Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris 3:38PM (7/09/2008)
reminds me of that new laser art where they use three lasers to burn a dot inside of a glass or plastic block to create three dimensional images.
Very impressive when done right. I received one as a gift from BMW for buying a 2007 K1200R Sport, funny this was that it was an image of a R80
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Michael 3:39PM (7/09/2008)
Very nice.
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Soccer Mom 3:45PM (7/09/2008)
If it's not computer animation, then it looks like the balls are suspended by strings. Regardless, it is a spectacular idea, if it is real.
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3seriesisking 9:10PM (7/09/2008)
I'm sure it is. Those Germans are some industriously genius people. My question is where do they come up with ideas like this?
CH 8:02AM (7/11/2008)
You can't imagine what a evening spent with some engineers and LSD brings out.
j/k ;-)
jjpg2000 3:49PM (7/09/2008)
They are likely held up by strings hanging from the ceiling.
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Torrent 3:54PM (7/09/2008)
But you see how the balls shuffle across each other's path? the strings would likely get tangled. I think It's computer animation.
jjpg2000 3:56PM (7/09/2008)
They don't shuffle across each other, that's an optical illusion.
They only move up and down.
Inside Lane 3:53PM (7/09/2008)
They are all suspended by strings that are only just visible; creating an effect of weightlessness. Each ball lowers and retracts independently.
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itsmin 3:56PM (7/09/2008)
it's done with really thin wire. you can see it on the higher resolution video available on http://www.bmw-web.tv/en/channel/new
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Enlightened_One 4:00PM (7/09/2008)
Yah they are held up with some very strong wires, and the heavy weight of the balls keep them stable. Very impressive. This reminds me of the Cubitron I saw at Coachella this year and at EDC.
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SilverAero 4:01PM (7/09/2008)
You weren't kidding about that music. You think they would have spent that itunes buck a little better.
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Shado 4:01PM (7/09/2008)
Look at 2:05-2:10, it is just strings people
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Jrejre 4:04PM (7/09/2008)
I disagree. I say it was done using technology that they're using to create hovercars.
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overengineered 4:17PM (7/09/2008)
It's not gay, balls aren't touching!
Just to make sure ;-)
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300Kid 5:02PM (7/09/2008)
That's awesome. Btw at 1:23 you can very easily see the black strings on the right hand side. You can tell they're on strings by the way they sway just a little. Still really impressive though.
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Ian 5:49PM (7/09/2008)
You guys posted this EXACT same thing a few days ago.
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Mi key 6:20PM (7/09/2008)
Look Toto!
Magic Balls!
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turbo-quattro 7:57PM (7/09/2008)
i was there the day after the museum opened a few weeks ago. then are suspended by vertical strings. the balls never touch(i know i know) and never cross each other.
cool little exibit, as it is the first thing you see when you enter the museum.
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D-GOD 9:39PM (7/09/2008)
and yet BMW still can't comply with the "unattainable" US- fuel standards....
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