Esther Rolinson Exhibition
Thu, 23 Oct 2014
Tonight saw the opening of Esther Rolinson's Splinter and Thread exhibition at Phoenix in Leicester. The two light-based artworks are the result of over two years development by Esther.
Both pieces feature animated light sequences. In Splinter LEDs illuminate acrylic panels suspended in the gallery space with thin cables. Patterns move around the panels, changing in speed and introducing subtle colours. The result is a mesmerising sculptural form that really has to be seen to be appreciated.
Thread uses similar lighting technology, but runs the LED light through prepared optical fibres. This leads to more of the sense of an animated 3D 'drawing', with bold stokes of light crossing the gallery space and interacting with each other. Again, it needs to be seen for the effect to be understood.
The realisation of Esther's vision for the artworks required a team of supporting technologists, including myself. We had to design and build the lighting hardware, develop the electronics and then program the sequences to match what Esther wanted. It was a long, but very interesting, process and the results are quite spectacular.
I've shared my photographs of the installation and opening of the exhibition here on Flickr. The two pieces will be on show until the 5th December and will be followed by a third piece called 'Melt' on the 12th December until mid January. Make sure you visit!
