I was in Target the other day to get some potting soil, so I went back to the patio/garden area and spotted some very pretty light strings. They made me think of summer entertaining, and how fun and relaxing it is, if you can keep the mosquitoes at bay. Then I thought about the home decorating tradition of lighting the patio for outdoor parties. Some people use chinese lanterns or tiki torches, or float candles in the pool. Now we have cool light strings to buy.Using light to decorate our homes and public spaces is a lovely idea that extends beyond the darkness of the winter solstice. I went in search of light art and light sculptures to see what artists were creating using light.
Copyright: Stone Ridge Glass 2007
This first one, from Stone Ridge Glass, is a "glasscape" with colored glass pieces that can be rearranged at will. The base contains a light that provides a dramatic backdrop for the glass. An inviting and interactive piece.
A more organic and complex use of light, above, is seen in the extraordinary work of artist Raquel Cohen. She notes that "light as a medium opens into unknown, ethereal realms." She fills an entire space in light that emanates from well-placed vessels.
Another room features her sculpture "Palos Santos," or Holy Woods. She is fascinated by how light "can transfigure a space so dramatically, how it can transform a tiny room into a galaxy simply by bathing floors, ceilings and walls with fleeting points of light. This ineffable effect on surrounding space fascinates me." It's as if she has imagined the life force of the trees, then rendered it in light. Gorgeous.
Copyright: Chris Freeman 1998
Light sculpture has also been used in public spaces, such as this wonderful work, "Color Bars" (Heller Series #2) by Chris Freeman. He used neon lighting to create a four-story light sculpture on an historical building in New York City. I love the bold, primary-colored light against the urban backdrop. It reminds me of the LED throwies that are sometimes used as graffiti. It's an unexpected use of light for its own sake, rather than for commercial or utilitarian purposes.Finally, here is a video of an amazing installation last year at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. "Volume" was an interactive light and sound sculpture. According to the museum's web site, it was the work of design collective United Visual Artists, and Robert Del Naja and Neil Davidge (as part of their music production company, one point six). This has more of a high-tech aesthetic to it, and is especially interesting in that it responded to the movement of visitors.
These light sculptures are so different from each other, yet they each make such wonderful use of light. Clearly my fascination with pretty colored lights continues unabated.
