Quantum Jungle by Robin Baumgarten
How We Find Artists
One of the questions we get asked most is: How do you find your artists?
The answer is rarely linear.
Sometimes artists find us. Sometimes we stumble into their work halfway across the world. And sometimes, late at night, scrolling through Instagram, something stops us cold.
That’s how we found Robin Baumgarten.
Based in Berlin, Robin is an experimental hardware game developer and interactive installation artist whose work lives at the intersection of play, science, and touch. His installations don’t ask you to stand back and observe — they ask you to reach out, press, wobble, and explore.
📸courtesy of the artist
When Science Becomes Play
Robin’s work is grounded in tactile interaction and immediate response. Metal springs push back when touched. LEDs ripple, scatter, and react in real time. Every movement matters.
His installation Quantum Jungle transforms complex concepts from quantum physics — superposition, interference, wave-particle duality — into something physical and intuitive. Hundreds of touch-sensitive metal springs and thousands of LEDs turn invisible phenomena into something you can feel in your hands.
It’s scientifically accurate, yes. But more importantly, it’s fun. Robin uses curiosity as the entry point. Touch becomes understanding. Play becomes learning.
Built by Hand, Engineered from Scratch
With a background in computer science and game development, Robin engineers both the hardware and software for his installations himself. Every sensor, spring, and LED is designed to be responsive — smooth, immediate, and alive.
His work has appeared everywhere from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London to Burning Man, the Toronto International Film Festival, and museums around the world. And now, it’s coming to Portland.
Why This Belongs at the Festival
The Portland Winter Light Festival has always been about making the invisible visible — illuminating ideas, creativity, and connection during the darkest time of year.
Quantum Jungle does exactly that.
It turns an abstract world into a shared experience. It invites strangers to touch the same surface, to play side by side, to learn without realizing they’re learning at all.
Where Can You See It?
Quantum Jungle will be on view at World Trade Center Plaza
📍 February 6–7 & February 13–14
Touch the science. Let it push back.
A community-powered event
Thanks to support from individuals like you- families, local businesses, art-lovers, community partners and sponsors, the Light Festival exists.
Contributions help:
- Present over 150 FREE light-based art installations and performances citywide
- Support emerging and established artists with stipends and production resources
- Activate public spaces, small businesses and vacant storefronts during winter
- Create inclusive, family-friendly experiences that welcome people of all ages
