Nature, Art and Magical Blocks of Flying Concrete | Lonneke Gordijn | TED

Our bodies instinctually respond to the movements and rhythms of nature, like the uplifting feeling you get when walking in a forest. Can art evoke the same emotions? Experiential artist Lonneke Gordijn takes us through her studio's stunning, nature-inspired work -- flowering lights, murmurating drones -- and reveals a mysterious piece hiding in the shadows of the TED Theater that just might change your relationship with concrete.
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• Nature, Art and Magica...
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[@Aquillyne]

For anyone wondering about the block: it’s fabric made to look like concrete, surrounding a light framework, hiding essentially one or more helium balloons. At the start, it was pinned to the ground. On cue, it was allowed to float up. The helium amount has been calibrated to achieve a certain floating height. The holes in the concrete are for blowing air/helium out of the device, achieving propulsion and/or height adjustment. It’s a great effect.

[@MrFaradayMaxwell]

Would like to see more talks like this on TED. Creativity, people building things and showing their potential. By the way, this lady has a beautiful mind.

[@user-hujuser1]

Lamps inspired by flowers are beautiful! I was smiling. Drones murmuration above BM Playa wow! I was crying. A concrete above audience! It moves in my conscious deep…

[@ometofu]

Styrofoam painted

[@zensational.]

​@@ometofusource info?

[@nothingmuch67]

I got goosebumps watching this. This is totally mind blowing!

[@amanatali9401]

If the same thing happens in India by any baba it will be called As chamatkar😂😂

[@jamesjones2212]

Glad to put a face to seeing this at burning man it was by far one of the most moving things I had ever seen. It really captured the awe of the moment. Everyone stood still and was just mesmerized so great!

[@welcome.421]

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom🌸

[@garynicholson7550]

Absolutely true.

[@aohamer]

Wow 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 She wasn't about to give up that patent secret of how that thing is floating 😂 Magic! So cool ✨️

[@roadykev420]

illusion, hologram

[@dominicmcg2368]

@@roadykev420not an illusion, matte painted canvas over balsa frame, helium balloons and small fans pointing out holes. Still very cool effect though

[@EddieAdolf]

Just a ridgid balloon drone, you could even hear them in there, likely they're fixed to a thin rod frame. The sides could be thin carbon fiber, possibly even cardboard. Then painted to look like concrete. The holes in the side of the block are likely used for infrared positioning to avoid drift.

[@MaybeYoureRight-1234]

🌍 When I think of the world I want to see in the future for my daughters--and the children across the world--I’m reminded that there is so much more we need to do to take care of the one planet we've got, and it’s up to all of us to demand and lead that change! Thank you 😅

[@ElliotTheGreatCoding]

this has to be the best ted talk ever!!!!!!

[@HinnerkHesse]

Damn.. that was one of the most inspiring Teds for me

[@recks1151]

incredible 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 a true visionary artist

[@vawcreations5887]

THAT WAS DRILLING THROUGH MY BRAINS THANK YOU MAM

[@BrandonD24]

It's definitely not a balloon with a weighted track mechanism. There, for sure, isn't a motor that allows them move these weights which enable them too shift the weights, thus giving them the ability to shift the pitch, tilt and momentum.

[@synthclub]

What she is hypothesizing is the computability of everything and everything bumping into everything and everyone

[@mchennes]

Watching this amazing TED talk I remember the movie Ratatouille, where a rat strives for more than just eating scraps of food. In the children's film there is a dialogue between two sibling rats in which it says: "You can't change nature." Whereupon the brother says: "Change is nature!"

[@jimmymaley422]

the drones were phenomenal this year above Black Rock City

[@mrdoob]

I think the concrete block is just some helium balloons with little fans hidden in the black holes that move it around. The outside is made out of fabric with a concrete texture/look.

[@trueastronawt]

Thought the same thing, but their website says it uses "mixed media with concrete, robotics, tracking system", and if it's actually concrete it's almost impossible for helium to hold it up. The block is apparently 4x2x2m, and 16m3 of helium can hold up about 16kg of material, which isn't even close to enough if the hull is actually made of concrete, not matter how thin it is. So either they're lying about it being concrete or it's not helium.

[@mrdoob]

@@trueastronawt Nah, it's not concrete. I saw them in NYC bouncing between them in a very balloon-like way. Yes, the show in NYC had tracking so coordinating them.

[@trueastronawt]

@@mrdoob Ah, alright, I just assumed they wouldn't lie about the basics. But in that I assume the same thing, probably a hollow structure filled with helium for an equilibrium. I also think they used magnetic switchable devices beneath the stage to release the block, first on one site, then on the other. You can even see it pivot a bit on the left site like its locked on place there when it starts to float.

[@Bretro]

You can always just coat a surface with a very thin layer of concrete for texture. Therefore, as an object it is "technically" made with concrete (partially). Just like something that is gold plated can still be considered (at least partially) a “gold” object.

[@mrdoob]

​@@BretroI guess that's fair, albeit slightly misleading.

[@markhancher5686]

She said it herself ,its an illusion ..foam model or balloon ,its how it affects you when looking at it if your able to imagine what a real concrete block would do / hence the ART ?

[@Mememelahhh]

Amazing! You got me hooked at the first 20 seconds!

[@toni4729]

I wonder what the birds would have thought if they'd seen it.

[@Ovaflo]

'Project bluebeam' Thats what the floating block remind me of.

[@DBHMedia]

Technology that built the Pyramids? Or light-weight frame with thin layer of concrete with helium and fans?

[@Pinapplekun]

Oh look an illusion

[@muhtadaali8847]

can some one please explain how that block is moving?

[@360_KnowledgeLab]

Mind blowing I am just amazed 😮

[@shcade8926]

This is so cool! Awesome and mind boggling

[@verybang]

That block of concrete looks dangerous. But the people who created it are beautiful. The earth is beautiful.

[@HaloFan117_]

I cant believe the block feel on her!

[@ronnielazaro9137]

Thank you! Inspiring. 😊

[@faridunniyozmamadov9399]

Outstanding 👏👏👏

[@MellamaronNelson]

Precioso TED , bravo🎉

[@bouleereveld]

Amazing!🎉

[@我从海上来-u7k]

人类一直尝试去控制各种事物，但我们也是大自然的一部分，不需要害怕，放弃去控制，因为我们自己本也会变化，我们在漂流着。

[@ministerofjoy]

Thank you🎉

[@China-129]

تذكّر أنّ أجمل ما في الحياة هي الأشياء الأقلّ نفعاً كالطّواويس والورود.

[@GraczPierwszy]

żeby uwierzyć w to, musiałbym zobaczyć na własne oczy, ale jest to możliwe, z odpowiednią wiedzą można takie coś zrobić bez najmniejszego problemu

[@CharemTheShadox]

Wow, the amount of weird philosophy-quoting bots here... What's the point of them, though?

[@teraless5741]

It’s about designing with emotional connection in mind basically

[@SIRCAM73]

Augmented reality, at large scale.

[@Moved2NewPh0ne]

This is very interesting 🤔😊and super creative!

[@salmababyz5469]

I am speechless

[@narrativegatherer3128]

Ayo! How many bots have invaded the comments here? TED gotta take some action ngl.

[@eddyherrera3207]

What is the change? She said it so much but was very vague.

[@jameyairmail]

Amazing words

[@_Sonia.S]

Lovely video! I’ve always wanted one of those carts. Would be so handy to have one for my art supplies and one for my makeup.🙏🏼🫶🏼

[@justnormal4626]

Does Ted respond?

[@Scartegy]

Been a Ted watcher for 6 years Nope

[@kinngrimm]

US policy makers may wanna think about this lesson: "you are not in control, just go with it" could avoid a war

[@MuhammadQosim]

That is where art people talking are different with the technical one.

[@China-129]

🥀 امنح وردةً تمنح ابتسامةً وتسعد قلباً حزيناً.

[@jasonbenbow8312]

Anyone know the piece of music playing at 8mins in?

[@TiffyRemembersYou-zf5dr]

“When I look at flowers … I don’t see objects … I see faces.” Asian Flowers?

[@TiffyRemembersYou-zf5dr]

Not the actual author but an actual AI analyst.

[@davidhadley6164]

Awesome work! Totally memorizing. Like a moth to a bulb and very interesting. One thing though! Saying people (primates or mammals) are not capable of bird "mumuration" is a mistake. If you watch chimpanzee camps move through the jungle and communicate with shoulder taps and visual cues it's kind of the same thing. A large group of animals moving together, with no clear leader. But all looking out for danger as one bigger organization.

[@garynicholson7550]

Chimpanzee and all other ape groups definitely have a clear leadership structure and if the leader begins to show weakness he will very soon be replaced and discarded.

[@MaybeYoureRight-1234]

🌍 We must demand more from our government, return to the Paris Agreement, and work to lead the world in reducing the pollution that continues to cause climate change. And science is telling us to go much further - we must continue to accelerate progress on bold new green initiatives that make our economy a clean energy innovator! Thank you 😅

[@haihoang-xw9pk]

great

[@China-129]

تقول الوردة وتعبر لك عن مدى شوقي وحنيني، أنت أجمل من الأزهار وعيناك أنقى من ماء البحار، ولد حبنا مع نمو الأزهار، وكبر بعدد حبات الأمطار.

[@josephgaribaldi4340]

"Type-A People"! she (the host) said this with no hesitation or question! And yet if you look at her you notice her body deteriorating.

[@MaybeYoureRight-1234]

🌏 Today, we’re reminded more than ever of the role we play-and the responsibility of our government--to ensure that we do not pass a world beyond repair on to our children. And that starts by not denying the evidence presented by scientists and climate activists around climate change. Thank you 😅

[@Indian1947-o1z]

Im confused how its floating, can anyone please explain

[@njdotson]

Did you not hear her? It's magic

[@Aquillyne]

It’s not concrete and it’s full of helium.

[@Essuolagde]

Firstly, I do not know how I pressed the play button. But all I do know is that I am not in control...

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

✊🏼 “Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom.” ~Nelson Mandela

[@China-129]

الزهور لغة يتداولها جميع البشر في العالم لا تحتاج لمترجم، جميع أزهار المستقبل هي في البذور التي تزرعها اليوم.

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

🌍✊🏼 “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” ~Nelson Mandela

[@philipaghatise5500]

How can I get this?

[@jackblacksash]

Chris Angel is trying desperately to get hold of Lonneke Gordijn.

[@jimmymaley422]

Stonehenge was built this way

[@mmalt9291]

We already have a nature

[@user-hujuser1]

I want TedxART

[@keletsontusa755]

wow!!😍👌

[@China-129]

”لا يوجد في الهند سياسي شجاع بما فيه الكفاية لأن يحاول شرح أن الأبقار يمكن أكلها.“ - انديرا غاندي، إبنت مهاتما غاندي 🇮🇳

[@DemianPhotos]

Project blue beam test ?

[@griggiorouge]

Wooaaah duuuuudee.

[@77.o_o.77]

How much does it take to steal and lie to make a series about you xD Elizabeth Holmes won a golden ticket to prison. The question is where is the Ted talks video with this amazing character?

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

🗽🇺🇸 “Freedom can never be taken for granted. Each generation must safeguard it and extend it. Your parents and elders sacrificed much so that you should have freedom without suffering what they did. Use this precious right to ensure that the darkness of the past never returns.❞‏ ~Nelson Mandela

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

👩🏼‍🎓🇷🇺 "There is no human being who hates another human being because of the color of his skin, his origin or his religion. People have learned to hate and if they can teach them to hate then we can teach them love" ~Nelson Mandela

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

🌍👩🏼‍🎓 “You can start changing our world for the better daily, no matter how small the action.” ~Nelson Mandela

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

👩🏼‍🎓🇵🇸 "We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians" ~Nelson Mandela speaking during the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Pretoria, South Africa, 4 December 1997

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

✈️👩🏼‍🎓 “When we read we are able to travel to many places, meet many people and understand the world. We can also learn how to deal with problems we are having by learning from the lessons of the past.” ~Nelson Mandela

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

👩🏼‍🎓🇬🇧 "Will future generations say of us: ‘Indeed, they did lay the foundations for the eradication of world poverty; they succeeded in establishing a new world order based on mutual respect, partnership and equity’?" ~Nelson Mandela from a Lecture at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, England, 11 July 1997

[@themanwnoname3454]

2023(Gregorian) “Respect and dignity.” Furthermore:

[@VLOGALAMDANTUTORIAL]

I like

[@mr_xoxo69]

Interesting 🤔

[@GT-mw3in]

Super nova vision

[@KenLit]

Naturally You had som good s... ense, naturally! ;)

[@mrtienphysics666]

Resistance is Futile

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

🕊️👩🏼‍🎓 "Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference." ~Nelson Mandela

[@pepper419]

It was really good of you to break the mood. Have a nice day.

[@MaybeYoureRight-1234]

🌏 The first Earth Day helped transform the ways we interact with the world around us, and it changed how we viewed our impact on the natural world--inspiring the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and landmark legislation that protected the air we breathe, the water we drank, and the animals that lived alongside us. Thank you 😅

[@China-129]

علّمتني الورود أن أكون كالتّربة الخصبة أعطي من يزرع ثمراً دون انتظار المقابل.

[@sadeghfazeli]

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@LouiseSnouck]

Wow!!

[@lovefilmmakingify]

The same idea that is reiterated from ancient knowledge such as impermanence of Buddhism by using art and technology.

[@abe4524]

Sur la vignette je pensais qu'on allait lâcher un bloc de pierre enorme sur cette pauvre femme😢😂

[@toni4729]

How would you like to be under that illusion? That magnificent murmuration of lights; what was it? Real, or an illusion?

[@tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192]

👩🏼‍🎓🇵🇸 "All of us need to do more in supporting the struggle of the people of Palestine for self-determination, in supporting the quest for peace, security & friendship in this region" ~Nelson Mandela during the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, Pretoria, South Africa, 4 December 1997

[@DrDante2478]

World can’t be static…

[@jeremytipton6076]

So I should build a home that knows how to dance.

[@China-129]

كم وردة حمراء، وفلّة بيضاء أذابت الفوارق، ومسحت الدّموع، وخفّفت من معاناة الآلام وقسوة الظّروف.

[@vvs1855]

Project blue beam

[@epistemologicalnihilist5746]

This is how the Egyptians did it

[@ml3141]

This is obviously not real concrete. It has to be something way lighter that is painted to look like concrete.

[@China-129]

جميع أزهار المستقبل هي في البذور التي تزرعها اليوم.

[@JB-yo1fo]

we will never be as smart as the aliens