Alveoli are the tiny sacs within our lungs that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the lungs and the bloodstream. This cellular shape provided the inspiration for the stage set, Alveoli, designed for Vancouver-based electronic band, HUMANS.

In our work, we like to create organic shapes that are difficult to describe, but hard to forget. We’re always interested in building pieces that stimulate the audience to create their own meaning simply by presenting them with something they’ve never seen before, something that gets them to ask questions.

Using the basic form of Alveoli, we created a large organic inflatable shape with cell-like structures that react to the music of HUMANS in real time. In addition, the stage set includes three modules of 5 x 5 LEDs that are placed in front of the DJ table, also controllable in real time.

Built for touring, the inflatable packs down into a suitcase and can be inflated on stage just before a show starts. A small fan keeps the Tyvek structure intact and inside there are DMX controllable LEDs that allow HUMANS to create an accompanying strobing, animated light show right behind them, silhouetting their ultra-energetic stage antics.