World’s largest kinetic art sculpture unveiled on cruise ship

The largest kinetic art sculpture in the world has been installed on Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Icon of the Seas.

Devised by the Brooklyn-based new media artist studio Breakfast, the Pearl sculpture is over 13.7 metres in height, has a diameter of 16 metres, and is composed of nearly 3,000 computer-driven kinetic tiles.

The work stands out not only for its size but also for its ability to capture the essence of the ocean. The sculpture simulates natural phenomena such as rolling waves, gentle breezes, shooting stars, and the dynamic ocean surface. Drawing inspiration from the tranquility and unpredictability of the sea, the tiles are arranged in a Fibonacci sequence, echoing patterns found in marine life.

What sets The Pearl apart is its interactive nature. The sculpture’s movements are influenced by real-time tidal and wind data from the Caribbean. This feature allows it to continuously transform, reflecting the current environmental conditions in an ever-evolving display of calmness or intensity.

The journey to bring The Pearl to life spanned over four years of relentless work by Breakfast. This period was marked by conceptualisation, design, and custom fabrication of each part, underscoring the studio’s commitment to craftsmanship and detailed execution.