Posted on 23rd November 2021 by Paul King
Rasmus Strange Thue and his art installation Tidal Sun turn a practical product into a stunning kinetic artwork. Set on the inlet of Vejle, Denmark, the piece features 1,000 self-filling shade balls floating on the water. These lightweight spheres drift, collide, and shift with every tide, current, and breeze. Their motion creates ever-changing patterns—natural, fluid, and alive.
As water levels rise and fall, some balls dip below the surface while others float freely. Winds push the spheres into new shapes, forming temporary figures and patterns. The installation constantly evolves, offering something new every moment. What begins as simple movement becomes a flowing sculpture shaped by nature.
Typically, Euro-Matic cover balls serve industrial and environmental roles. They cover water surfaces to reduce evaporation and block sunlight. However, Tidal Sun shows their surprising artistic potential.
Here, these balls do more than conserve water—they create visual poetry. At times, they form angel-like figures or abstract designs. As they shift, viewers are invited to interpret what they see. No two visits look the same. The piece encourages curiosity and imagination.
Rasmus Strange Thue and his art installation Tidal Sun reveal how ordinary materials can spark wonder when placed in a new context.
Before becoming art, shade balls had a clear purpose. They’re designed to:
Reduce water evaporation by up to 90%
Block sunlight to slow algae growth
Lower odors and reduce ice formation (by up to 10°C)
Camouflage ponds at airports or industrial sites
These UV-stabilized plastic balls interlock on the water’s surface, forming a flexible cover. They move with changing water levels and last up to 10 years. Designed for function, they’ve now found a new form—as elements of art.
By blending art and environmental technology, Rasmus Strange Thue and his art installation Tidal Sun offer more than beauty. They invite reflection. The project shows how sustainable tools can be creative too. It highlights the rhythm of nature—and how we can design with it, not against it.
Ultimately, Tidal Sun isn’t just a kinetic sculpture. It’s a message. A reminder that art can emerge from unexpected places. And that nature, when given space to move, can shape something truly unforgettable.
By recontextualizing an everyday product, Rasmus Strange Thue and his art installation Tidal Sun invite us to see sustainability through an artistic lens. The project not only draws attention to the harmony between nature and design, but also sparks conversation about how industrial tools can be transformed into creative expressions.
This unique floating art installation in Denmark is more than a visual experience—it’s a reflection of how imagination can breathe new life into sustainable materials. Tidal Sun offers a fresh perspective on environmental consciousness, kinetic beauty, and the subtle power of nature in motion.
