Rhythms of Chaos on 7PM - 7AM at Wychwood Barns

A multi-sensory experience of light, sound, and time

We invite you to meet PRISM, the collective of artists behind Rhythms of Chaos hosted at Wychwood Barns for Nuit Blanche on October 3.

Prism Collective is a student-run art-technology group at the University of Waterloo, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of 23 students to design, engineer, and build Rhythms of Chaos. The team spans programs ranging from Systems Design Engineering to Computer Science, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Nanotechnology, Biomedical, and Computer Engineering, alongside Mathematics, Business, and Global Business and Digital Arts, reflecting the interdisciplinary spirit behind the installation itself.

Their members come from all over: students based in Waterloo and Toronto, as well as Edmonton, Mississauga, Fremont, and beyond, united by a shared curiosity for building things that live at the intersection of art, engineering, and technology. From mechanical design and electrical systems to sound, software, and visual storytelling, every part of Rhythms of Chaos was conceived, prototyped, and brought to life by this team.

Meet Rhythms of Chaos

Rhythms of Chaos, a kinetic installation over 7 feet tall, captures the chaotic motion presented by the physics phenomenon of double pendulums, translating mechanical motion into a multi-sensory experience of dynamic light, sound, and time.

Approaching Rhythms of Chaos, the kinetic sculpture first appears as a clock, drawing visitors closer. Behind its surface, a mesmerizing disorder unfolds: arms moving unpredictably and multiple double‑pendulums swinging in restless, interwoven patterns. An ode to the complex dimensions of time, the arms create an intricate dance with no end or beginning. The work shows visitors a non-linear perception of time, quite the contrast to the routine schedule of the every day. Each movement reflects a unique story of the perception of time, dissolving the boundary between motion and life. An ambient, reactive soundscape flows with the pendulum, capturing each swing in its fluid, and dynamic cadence. “Rhythms of Chaos” compels visitors to experience time not as something that passes, but as something deeply felt—wild, unpredictable and endlessly alive.

The Team behind PRISM:

Design/Website/Finance/Marketing/Media Team

Frances Zhao — Design Architect

Ellie Chan — Design Architect

Claire Hung — Website Architect

Victoria Gee — Finance Architect

Bianca Batiao — Marketing Architect

Armin Zubair — Marketing Architect

Jessica Lu — Media Architect

Project Management Team

Monica Trinh — Project Manager

Matthew Ko — Project Manager

Suhani Surya — Project Manager

Mechanical Team

Alex Lee — Mechanical Lead

Divjot Chahal — Mechanical Member

Selina Zhai — Mechanical Member

Julian Ly — Mechanical Member

Asma Surangiwala — Mechanical Member

Ariana Zheng — Mechanical Member

Electrical Team

Bennett Gibson-Dunne — Electrical Lead

Mike Zhou — Electrical Member

Tarek Chanouha — Electrical Member

Ian Xiong — Electrical Member

Amy Huang — Electrical Member

Software Team

Lily Song — Software Member

Sound Team

Illya Terekhov — Sound Designer

Shaan Sawrup — Sound Designer

Where to find PRISM:

Website: https://prismcollective.ca/

Instagram: @primscollectiv_

Want to learn more about everything happening during Stories in Place at Wychwood Barns? Read on here.