Murmuration

Situated within the elegant interior of the Indochine Restaurant at the Graff Delaire Estate in Stellenbosch, Murmuration is a breathtaking art installation, a tribute to the ethereal beauty and grace of swallows in flight. Commissioned by Laurence Graff, this exquisite piece showcases the exceptional talent and vision that defines the André Stead Sculpture Institute.

Murmuration features an impressive congregation of 1350 swallows, poised in flight and suspended gracefully above the restaurant. The birds' meticulous arrangement and the progression of colours create an illusion of directional movement, imbuing the piece with a sense of dynamic motion. The overlapping of differently coloured swallows results in exciting new tonal values, and the variations in colour transparency throughout the artwork establish depth within the swarm of birds.

The conceptual development of Murmuration was a rigorous two-month process, beginning with rough sketches to shape the initial idea.

The design, aiming to accentuate the beauty of the interior space, also creates an illusion of a bird canopy suspended below the ceiling. The colours employed in the artwork echo the restaurant's decor, enhancing the space's overall mood.

An extensive circular stainless steel framework with 192 modular branches supports this installation. Each branch meticulously positions and aligns a bird, contributing to the overall spectacle of flight. Murmuration embodies an artistic expression of flight's freedom, drawing spectators into the fascinating world of swallows and offering a mesmerising visual experience.