Memorial Kettering Sloan Cancer Center

A meditative digital koi pond that brings calm to a space defined by care and complexity.

In a healthcare environment often filled with anxiety, Memory Koi was designed to offer a moment of serenity. Developed in collaboration with ArtGuild and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the digital installation is part sculpture, part interactive media—creating a peaceful, reflective space within the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care.

Using responsive technology, immersive motion graphics, and organic form, Memory Koi invites patients and visitors to interact—or simply observe—at their own pace. Whether engaging deeply or briefly passing by, users experience a gentle shift in atmosphere, offering calm and a sense of agency in an environment often outside of their control.

Structured as a continuous virtual pond, the installation flows across more than 25 feet of ultra-high-resolution display. A sculptural enclosure with varied heights not only evokes the contours of a man-made koi pond, but also increases accessibility for patients with temporary or long-term mobility limitations.

The design integrates real and digital elements—plants and projected water, physical form and interactive koi—to create a layered, meditative presence within the space.

The koi themselves behave with nuanced personality: sometimes calm, other times inquisitive, occasionally transforming in unexpected ways. Visitors may passively observe or actively engage by dragging a finger through the pond, triggering dynamic responses from the fish. Proximity sensors detect users as they approach, inviting interaction. Behavioral animations simulate schooling, hiding, feeding, and play. And hidden “easter eggs” allow for magical transformations and messages of encouragement.

For some, the experience is a moment of escape. For others, it's an empowering reminder of presence and agency in the midst of treatment. The installation adapts to individual preferences—welcoming everyone, without requiring interaction.