Studio DRIFT: “We want to re-establish a connection with nature”

Over the years, in our work we’ve learned to look for situations that make us feel different, that change us, if only for a moment. Moments when everything is balanced, calm, aligned on the same frequency. Our main inspiration comes from nature, from its hidden properties, always present around us, but often overlooked. The way some flowers close at night in self-defence, or the fluid and synchronized movement of a murmuration of starlings, reveals nature’s innate intelligence. Through the use of technology to mimic these phenomena, our works explore the parallels between man-made and natural structures, draw on our intuition, encouraging a reconnection with everyday life and nature. Our bodies still contain an intelligence that, at times, seems forgotten in the frenzy of modern life. With these works, we hope to raise questions about what life is, imagining a future in which technology can help us re-establish our connection with nature.

The “dialogue between opposites” is certainly the central process of our work. Ralph and I have different ideas, but we both have to be present in the project, and that sometimes becomes a struggle and a challenge to achieve a balanced outcome. But when we succeed, we are so certain of the outcome that all doubt vanishes. The process to reach this point can sometimes take a very long time. It can take years, and we find the solution only after leaving it in suspension for many months, until it suddenly clicks. We use technology to explore and choreograph natural phenomena. The word “dialogue” is fundamental in the context of DRIFT, because in our works we try to bridge binary relationships, to facilitate open exchanges from both perspectives. We’d love to showcase technology in our work, but it never feels “technological” in the traditional sense due to the way we program the movements. You can feel the technology, but above all you feel the nature.

In nature, everything is in motion and a state of constant change. To research and recreate the essence of this dynamism, we need to develop technologies that make the parts move, or that are constantly changing. We use all kinds of technology, combined in different ways. Sometimes we invent it, at other times we use it in a completely different way than its original purpose. It’s one thing to create something that moves, but to create a movement that feels alive, that evokes emotions, is a completely different challenge. The magic of our Shylight artwork doesn’t just lie in the mechanics of moving flowers; rather, its true power comes from the way it moves: graceful, fluid, and alive. The Shylights communicate with our bodies through a language that we all intuitively understand. For a fleeting moment, the installation captures the public’s interest, immersing them in the hypnotic choreography of flowers. This sense of wonder rekindles a deep and instinctive bond with nature.

As humans, we gather information from our surroundings through our senses, often without even realizing it. A chaotic space overstimulates and oppresses us, while a serene setting invites us to relax and focus. Our work is successful when it creates a momentary pause, where people slow down, become present and truly engage with the world around them, having a unique experience of our art. This effect becomes even more powerful when multiple people in a space move on the same frequency. Heartbeat at the same rhythm, breathing at the same speed: this aligns people and makes them feel connected, united. Our goal is to bring people together, creating a collective vision, becoming a powerful organism.  In times of increasing polarization, understanding how we can join forces and act as one organism is becoming increasingly crucial.

I still like the fact that almost everyone smiles when they realize that we are using real dandelions in our artwork. It’s simple, yet so captivating and powerful. No matter the scale of our work – whether it’s a delicate light from a real dandelion or a flock of 3,000 mechanical “birds” – everything we create is rooted in the hidden or overlooked wonders of nature. It is extraordinary how even the smallest phenomena, such as the delicate opening and closing of a flower, can evoke such a sense of magic and wonder. This reminds us that beauty and intelligence are everywhere, waiting to be seen – we just need to slow down and be present. The world is a great spectacle, if we would only take the time to look!

The Drift Museum is a dream come true for us, the culmination of everything we’ve worked for over the past 18 years. In this space, we present our artworks in their purest and most uncompromising form, in a sequence designed to build a story that is empowered and experienced in the body. We hope to create a place that truly generates wonder and emotional responses from our visitors, a place where they can feel connected to our planet and nature again, understanding how beautiful and relaxing the world can be when you align with its mechanisms.

We haven’t visited the Salone in 10 years and are extremely excited to be returning. It’s the place where our career began, filled with memories, and we can’t wait to discover the changes in perspective and focus with fresh eyes. We look forward to meeting and reconnecting with colleagues from around the world.