Christopher Schardt, an LED sculptor known for his captivating installations, has created ‘Mariposa’, a butterfly-shaped sculpture for this year’s Burning Man festival.
This artwork, spanning 26 by 14 feet, features an array of 39,000 LEDs that display patterns synchronised with music. The entire installation is driven by nine Raspberry Pi-based controllers.
Mariposa, meaning ‘butterfly’ in Spanish, was installed 15 feet above the ground, enhancing its visual appeal. Below it, a swinging bench was set up, inviting festival-goers to recline and enjoy the display above. Intriguingly, the motion of the bench is connected to the butterfly’s wing hinges, allowing visitors to interact with the artwork, making them an integral part of the experience.
The structure of the butterfly is crafted from aluminium tubing, with LED strips artfully stretched across the wing frames, resembling the warp on a weaving loom. The base of the installation features speakers disguised as giant plant pots, playing a mix of classical and classic pop music. These 39,000 LEDs form a screen, creating images that are choreographed to harmonise with each musical piece.
Control of Mariposa is achieved through LED Lab, an iPad app. This app allows the creation of LED animations using various image or video files. The Raspberry Pi’s within Mariposa respond to the app’s commands, executing the intricate light choreography that brings the sculpture to life.
Schardt has been a regular participant in Burning Man since 1998 and began creating large-scale LED art installations for the festival in 2015. His notable works include the 2018 installation ‘Paraluna’, a 28-foot disc that moves up and down above the audience, displaying LED patterns set to classical music. Another significant piece by Schardt is ‘Mind Wash’, a dome-shaped structure controlled by Raspberry Pi, where viewers can lie inside to witness the light show.
Main image courtesy of Christopher Schardt/YouTube
