PROJECTION MAPPING
+ LIGHT INSTALLATION

Week 01 | 01/23/2024

Light Installation

I. The Weather Project, 2003, by Olafur Eliasson, at Tate Modern.

The Weather Project is a captivating installation in the realm of contemporary art. It's known for its immersive and thought-provoking qualities, particularly how it plays with perceptions of space, light, and natural phenomena.

The centerpiece of this artwork is a giant semi-circular form made up of hundreds of mono-frequency lamps. These lamps emit light in a narrow frequency range, creating a sensation similar to sunlight. This aspect of the work is particularly striking as it not only replicates the warmth and glow of the sun but also challenges the viewer's perception of what is natural and what is artificial.

Eliasson's use of light is a key element of analysis. The light from these lamps is monochromatic, which means it largely lacks the hues present in natural sunlight. This creates a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere in the gallery. The use of a mirrored ceiling enhances this effect, making the half sun appear whole and creating a sense of infinite space. This manipulation of light and reflection plays a significant role in how the work influences the viewers, often evoking emotional and physiological responses similar to those elicited by natural sunlight.

The installation also encourages viewer interaction and participation — the foggy atmosphere in the room, another key element of the installation, combined with the surreal lighting, blurs the boundaries between the artwork and its observers. People become silhouettes against the bright backdrop, and their shadows interact with the space, becoming part of the installation itself.

II. De Orbitis Planetarum, 2023, by Long and Yuxiang, at ITP.

The installation is bathed in the warm, life-suggesting glow of LED backlighting, simulating the Sun's nurturing radiance.