Hundreds of spheres of light, each on a stalk and bobbing gently in the wind, fill a large clearing. The lights visualise waves of energy flowing across the space; acting in synchronicity, creating changes in ambience, choreographed patterns of light enveloping the space. The Garden comes alive in a bloom of energy and sound, acknowledging the depths of winter yet anticipating a still distant spring.

A symphony of hundreds of voices

Bloom consists of up to 500 individual spherical units, each comprising a wi-fi enabled processor, GPS, accelerometer, LEDs and speaker. So the units know where they are, they can listen, respond and communicate. Together, they form a spatialised audiovisual symphony of 500 synchronised and connected voices – a symphony made of the Internet of Things.

Each Bloom can be placed anywhere; alone or in groups. At Kew Gardens, the piece occupies an 80m x 25m clearing. At Canary Wharf they were in the middle of a pedestrianised round-a-bout.