Lightweeds is an ecosystem of living digital plants that overgrow the man-made space, moving and growing directly according to outdoor weather patterns. The projected silhouettes emerge from a digital seed containing unique genetic data of a plant species, which germinates in direct response to rainfall and sunshine measured by weather sensors in real-time, and moves along actual wind.

When people pass, the plants tremble and eventually loose their seeds which pollinate in the direction of passage. In their continuous cycle of growth and decay, the plants location and density reveals the way the building is used.


Generated from its locality and in constant flux, Lightweeds brings an element of chance and time into the built environment, revealing the natural phenomena and seasonal rhythms that are slowly disappearing in an increasingly organised and urbanising world.

Lightweeds is widely recognised as Heijdens' signature artwork, which he has developed over the past 15 years. Lightweeds has been shown in over 50 private and public institutions around the world, and features among others in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

2005

Eindhoven, NL - van Abbe Museum 2017
London, UK - Clarges Street (public space) 2017
Chicaco, US - Chicaco Cultural Centre 2015
New York, USA - MoMA New York 2014-2015
Houston, USA - BCM 2014
Doha, Qatar - Katara Art Centre 2012
Jerusalem, Israel - Israel Museum Jerusalem 2012
Salt Lake City, USA - UMNH 2011
Cannes, F - Villa LG 2011
Hong Kong, China - Leg Council Building 2011
London, UK - V&A 2010
London, UK - Bloomberg gallery 2010
Hasselt, Belgium - Z33 2010
Cheongju, South Korea - 2009
Moscow, Winzavod - 2009
New York, USA - MoMA New York 2008
Hong Kong, China - Taikoo Place 2008
London, UK - Gallery Libby Sellers 2008
Rotterdam, Netherlands - Witte de With 2007
London, UK - Frieze art fair / private show 2007
Paris, F - Foret Ave Des Champs Elysees 2011
Beijing, China - Today Museum 2007
Guangzhou, China - GAFA Museum 2007
Rotterdam, NL - RAM Gallery 2007
Shanghai, China - Da Ning 2007
Amsterdam, Netherlands - Gallery BKVB -2007
New York, USA - Milk Gallery 2007
Lausanne, Switzerland - Gallery Mackintosh 2007
Rotterdam, Netherlands - Erasmus 2006
Milan, Italy - Grazie dei Fior 2005