From the Artist: "The Alief Swarm creates an uplifting experience and provides a transition space to all residents entering The Alief Community Center.  At first, viewers see pieces on the ceiling that appear to be birds or butterflies, then as they walk into the atrium, the piece expands upwards in the open space, creating a flying migration of what will then be revealed as around 1000 pieces of CNC cut and bent acrylic with printed images of shoes shaped like butterflies, floating and flying above. Through its forms this indoor piece will be connected to the outside butterfly garden on the grounds of the community center.
Why call it The Alief Swarm?  A swarm is the word for a large group of bees going on the attack or emigrating to start a colony in a different location. Like bees, any group of people can be considered a swarm emigrating and working together, fiercely toward a goal."

Project Team: Metalab Studio, Joe Meppelink, Andrew Vrana, Lana Barakeh, Jack Hilchey. Structural Engineering: Lysaght & Associates. Fabrication: Graphtec. Installation: Merge Studios