Research Critique 2 – i Light 2019

I headed over to i Light 2019 the past weekend with a couple of friends & was able to view all if not most of the installations put up. After experiencing them, I have chose 2 that caught my eye to write about specifically.

#1: Halo by Michael Davis

Photo: i Light Singapore Facebook

The work consists of a ‘halos’ or what appear to be giant rings that are connected & arranged together in vertical columns. According to the official description of the piece, it is meant to represent “the never-ending flow of the present moment”. When each of these individual rings are touched, they emit patterns of light and sound. Through this participation of past, present & future visitors, the interaction of this work aims to create a link between the people who have encountered it.

Using a motion sensor of some sort on the rings, when visitors touch each of these halo rings, they produce light and emit sound. The sound produced is almost holy-like, similar to the ringing of giant bells in a Church. There is an eternal feeling with the sound. The interaction is also quite fun as the rings are placed from eye-level to a height that’s almost unreachable. It was fun looking at different guests touching them and even jumping to try to reach the other rings.

The interaction in this work helps to connect the many visitors in a fun way. It explores the grand idea of the inter-connectedness of time & how our past, present & futures could be infinitely linked but in a fun & visually pleasing installation.

#2: Squiggle by Angus Muir

Photo: Shout Facebook

Squiggle is a large scale light installation that is made out of digital neon tubing built on a custom steel framework that covers across the grounds of The Promontory of Marina Bay. The work is visually pleasing to look at and at the entrance of the installation are a few joysticks lined up together. Using the joysticks, viewers are allowed to control the flow of the lights of a certain section of the work.

Controls such as ‘forward’, ‘backward’ or the option to change the colour of the lights are meant to be an abstract reflection of the multi-cultural world we live in.

 

 

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