Light Cloud occupies a tall mirrored atrium where every change in light multiplies into endless reflections. The sculpture consists of OLED elements suspended in a three-dimensional grid. A network of sensors continuously registers movement and position within the space.

The system runs through a series of generative “states” – such as sleeping, dreaming, remembering, feeling, thinking, observing, playing – each with its own visual logic and sonic character. Natural, synthetic, and abstract sounds combine into shifting compositions, from quiet pulses to dense textures. When the system enters its playful modes, Light Cloud reacts directly to people’s motion, translating paths and gestures into ripples and bursts of light.

For visitors and staff, Light Cloud is encountered on the way to meetings, from balconies above, or in the atrium itself. Depending on time and presence, the sculpture appears calm and introspective or animated and curious. People notice that their movements subtly influence the field, turning everyday circulation into part of the composition.

The installation suspends the usual sense of a fixed architectural volume: reflections stretch the luminous structure into apparent infinity, and sound dissolves clear boundaries between up, down, inside, and outside. The space offers a brief shift in perception, an invitation to see familiar surroundings and habits from a different angle, echoing the mindset needed for innovation.

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Merck wanted its Innovation Center to express what cannot be shown in a product display: idea generation, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and the uncertainty that precedes discovery. The central space needed a strong visual signature that also worked as a daily environment for workshops, meetings, and informal encounters.

The task was to create a permanent artwork that feels alive, remains legible over time, and responds intelligently to visitor presence without becoming a distraction or a static light object.