LUZES RELACIONAIS

“Luzes relacionais” (Relational Lights) is an interactive installation that explores the ways in which the human subject occupies a shifting and variable space in relation to others. The installation uses light, sound, haze, and a custom-software system to create a morphing, three-dimensional light-space in which spectators actively participate, manipulating it with their presence and movements. The work functions as a living organism with or without the presence and interactions of spectators. When viewers step outside the projected light-space, the system begins its own dialogue with space by means of extruding and morphing sequences of geometric light forms. And when viewers penetrate and interact with the projected light-space, a collective and participatory expression of space unfolds. “Luzes relacionais” amplifies the three-dimensional fabric of space by making it visible, audible, and tangible to participants. I created “Luzes relacionais” as a tribute to the work and aesthetic inquiry of Brazilian artist Lygia Clark (1920-1988.) “Luzes relacionais” emphasizes the spectator’s relationship with what Lygia Clark called the “expressional-organic” character of space, and expands on her conception of the “organic line.” The latter is the root of Lygia Clark’s progressive interest in and inclusion of the viewing subject within the work of art. “Luzes relacionais” takes examples of the “organic line” in Lygia’s oeuvre, such as her Modulated Space maquettes from 1958, and literally extrudes them as interactive planes into three-dimensional space. Spectators are able to modulate and penetrate the “organic line” itself while maneuvering within the space. “Luzes relacionais” is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts. This project is made possible, in part, with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts. Additional support has been provided by the generous grants from the Greenwall Foundation and the Experimental Television Center’s Finishing Funds program. The latter is supported by the Electronic Media and Film Program at the New York State Council on the Arts.Production Assistance: Josef Bull, Ryan Hale, Colin MacFayden, Sang Jun Yoo, Sinan Imre. Video: Mario Ladera. Programming Assistance: Joon Y. Moon. Photography: Mario Ladera. Special thanks to: Katharina Rosenberger, Flavio Gaete, Giampaolo Klar, Elizabeth Klar, Anton Marini, Tom Swirly, Bettina Johae, Mark Stafford.