Recollecting the rain we may have forgotten
How do we perceive rain? The ‘Shapes of Rain’ installation poses fundamental questions about our relationship with meteorological events. Once entirely at the mercy of the elements, humans—like other animals—depended on atmospheric conditions for survival. However, in today’s built environments, which often isolate us from nature, we may have lost our connection to such phenomena. This interactive light and sound installation, simulating rain, encourages reflection on whether we have overlooked the meaning of rain as we live increasingly in “weather-free” spaces.
Presented for nine days in a forest in Tamsweg, central Austria, as part of the Supergau Festival, ‘Shapes of Rain’ offers a sensory experience intertwined with historical significance. The forest site is notorious for its tragic history as a location of 17th-century witch hunts, where thousands were executed. The installation’s vibrant light and rhythmic sound effects evoke not only the beauty of rain but also the memories of those tragic events, transforming the space into a contemplative environment.
The installation is structured around octagonal wooden frames, which support a network of hoses that channel water. Drippers at the ends of the hoses release droplets onto drumheads attached to the frames. As the droplets hit the drumheads, contact microphones and speakers amplify the sounds, mimicking the rhythmic sensation of falling rain. The water collected on the drumheads is illuminated by spotlights from below, creating dynamic ripples that transform the light patterns into constantly evolving, unique visual forms.
Beyond replicating rain as an atmospheric event, the installation draws attention to rain’s essential role in shaping landscapes, filling reservoirs, and sustaining life on Earth. The experience of rain—both functional and aesthetic—is at the heart of the installation. Rain is not only necessary for life but also a source of beauty, rhythm, and sensory delight.
By immersing visitors in the sound and light of falling water, ‘Shapes of Rain’ invites them to reconnect with this everyday phenomenon, offering a new sense of awareness and curiosity about something often taken for granted. The installation encourages us to rethink the meaning of rain, reminding us not only of its practical importance but also of its poetic presence in our lives.
Project: Shapes of rain / Location: Tamsweg (Passeggen forest), Austria / Architect: FAR-MS / Design and Implementation: Stefano Mori / Sound Design and Audio System: Matthias Leboucher / Musical performances during the festival: Marina Iglesias, Christian Rainer, Andrej Prozorov, Anke Lucks, Almut Schlichting / Area: 19m² / Completion: 2023 / Photograph: ©Stefano Mori (courtesy of the architect)
