Working in association with Ivan Morison and as part of Kite Related Design to design and build two kites that take on the multi faceted qualities of Quarzite, a common meteorite.

The two kites, one made from black Ripstop Nylon and the other from reflective Maylar, are designed to look as if they do not fly but actually do.

The logic of the kite that ensures its flight is based on a Cody Box Kite, where all panels in the sail are perpendicular to the air flow. This logic coupled with the kite's symmetry ensures

there is the maximum amount of lift generated while no surfaces are creating undesired drag.

The design process derives from the the movement of a meteorite through the atmosphere, where the velocity causes matter to deteriorate forming a shape that is larger at the nose and lighter at the tail. This process is replicated in the 3D environment using particle physics and animation. To design the shape of the Black Meteor Kite, a cube with the front and back panels removed is assigned to the emitter and the particles are emitted in a calculated formation, so that the boxes spin slightly and grow as they move away from the emitter. The animation is paused and the arrangement is rationalised into a sail layout for the kite. The arrangement is then reflected along a central axis to create a symmetrical object that will fly.

The Maylar kite is produced using the same technique, but assigning tetrahedral kite wings to particles rather than boxes.

Both Kites are framed in hollow carbon fibre spars and weigh approximately 20 kilos. The black kite requires 20 mph of wind to fly.

The second section of the black kite has been replicated in timber.
The kites are on show at The Grundy Gallery, Blackpool, until 8th Nobvember 2008.

See more here