ChamäleTuna at Audubon Aquarium
The Downtown Development District, Arts New Orleans, and Audubon Aquarium partnered together to produce ChamäleTuna by artist Illya Sobol.
Located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a very well-known favorite spot in the city. Its purpose is to connect guests to the wonders of nature.
ChamäleTuna invites guests to be a part of the artwork by having ChamäleTuna detect the colors worn by visitors and transform in real time to reflect those hues. This piece of artwork reflects the diversity that defines New Orleans. The DDD hopes that ChamäleTuna will attract more people to hopefully experience the Audubon Aquarium and New Orleans' downtown!
"The DDD is committed to enhancing downtown livability through creative placemaking projects that make our public spaces more vibrant, welcoming, and safe," said DDD President & CEO Seth Knudsen in a press release. "Artist Ilya Sobol's light installation presented a unique opportunity to beautify the area around the Aquarium, elevate the visitor experience, and draw even more attention to one of Downtown New Orleans' premier attractions."
Behind the Art
Ilya Sobol is a Los Angeles-based artist and product design engineer whose work mixes emotional resonance with engineering precision. His mission is to create immersive experiences that explore human connection, perception, and play.
"ChamäleTuna reminds us that our individuality contributes to something larger," said Artist Ilya Sobol in a press release. "The installation evolves through human interaction, celebrating the richness and diversity of the people who experience it."
Sobol uses his struggles with ADHD and ASD as a creative strength that helps him practice structure, sensory awareness, and curiosity. He bridges the technical side of engineering systems to responsive artistic experiences, and ChamäleTuna reflects all that Sobol sought to create!
