Nathan Neufeld presents a mesmerizing celebration through his 2019 project. This art installation adorns the Argosy Parkway bridge in Kansas City with a series of monarch butterfly portraits. They are intricately crafted from a CNC-milled lattice inlaid with many-colored laser-cut acrylic windows.
Neufeld’s process began with hand-drawn sketches, transformed through Rhino’s precision, and further refined using Grasshopper to code each piece’s identity, organizing each curve by color. The result is a contemporary interpretation of stained glass, dynamically arrayed on either side of the bridge.
As sunlight transforms during dawn and dusk, and with the changing seasons, “Migration” breathes life into the bridge. The monarch portraits interact dynamically with the environment, reflecting the butterflies’ migration to and from Mexico’s oyamel fir trees.
This visionary project becomes a symbolic journey, inviting viewers to connect with the enchanting world of monarch butterflies and witness the fusion of art and technology in a transcendent experience. In Neufeld’s own words, “It is my hope that as you traverse the bridge, your thoughts also migrate to colorful and faraway lands.”
Explore more of Nathan Neufield’s inspiring work.
