- Projection on the façade of the Royal Palace of Madrid
- Video projection
- 5 interconnected projectors and sound equipment
Hurricane (A Weather System) was a piece designed by Eugenio Ampudia for the façade of the Royal Palace for LuzMadrid Festival in 2023. It’s a projection that reflects on the overwhelming force of the air. In contrast to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, hurricanes are created by and develop as a result of known, visible and traceable factors. Their intensity and destructive force can be measured in time to prevent or minimise damage. A hurricane is the most clearly defined, systematic expression of how, when and why a potentially catastrophic natural phenomenon forms.
The word “hurricane” also has a strong metaphorical connotation. It evokes the notion of sheer, overwhelming natural strength, denoting something powerful and calling to mind the force of nature.
The way a hurricane develops and progresses is also fascinating: they have a primitive simplicity yet occur on an overwhelming scale.
The projected image of a hurricane brings us face to face with the immeasurable creative and destructive force of nature, and its mystery. It encourages us to put aside our arrogance, reminding us of how small we are in the scheme of things. It becomes a beautiful metaphor for the speed at which ideas are consumed and the intensity of the physical experience of perceiving them.