'Kinetic Rain' at Singapore's Changi Airport

Changi Airport in Singapore has long championed the world of art through hosting numerous art installations and display pieces. Kinetic Rain is housed in Terminal 1 and is perfectly positioned to give passengers a calming and serene send-off before boarding their respective flights.

A crowd-pleasing favourite, Kinetic Rain was installed in early July 2012 in Terminal 1’s departure check-in hall. Part of an extensive refurbishment, Kinetic Rain has been billed as the world’s largest kinetic sculpture.

The mesmerising piece was created over a period of 20 months, and positioned in July 2012. It consists of 1,216 copper-plated aluminium droplets across two separate segments that are installed a few metres apart. Each droplet shape is on a wire and replicates the movement of flight through manoeuvres of fluidity that look and feel completely organic and seamless.

The choreography is controlled by a set of high-precision computerised motors that raise the droplets up and down with the utmost care and synchronisation that creates this sensational effect of weightless wonder. The droplets can form 16 different shapes, be it a plane, a hot-air balloon or even a dragon!

Spanning an area of 75 square metres (810 square feet) and a height of 7.3 metres (24 feet), this is one giant endeavour that adds a true sense of identity to Changi Airport’s Terminal 1.

Kinetic Rain symbolises the members of an airport community who collaborate and go about their daily lives. Its symmetry provides passengers and visitors a positive experience and an interpretation of passenger flow, along with representing the hive of activity that an airport like Changi welcomes in daily.