Emergence

Best Time to See:

Step inside this stunning pavilion, completely covered in reflective mirror units. The structure creates new ways of seeing the space around you while reflecting on the balance between order and chaos.

Featuring approx. 14,000 individually addressed LEDs and an audio track by the NYX: Electronic Drone Choir, the lights display a mesmerizing, constantly evolving program. Walk in, around and through this wheelchair-accessible installation to experience the different optical illusions.

A circular steel sculpture with mirrors and sound, designed to create a unique experience for the user.

Location:

Calder Plaza, Ottawa Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Artist Name:

This is Loop

Materials Used:

Mirrors, LED’s,

Categories:

Artist Statement:

‘Emergence’ is a place for contemplation. A sanctum within which to consider the dynamic interplay between order and chaos and the momentous role this plays in systems, life, the self, the universe and beyond.

With reflective surfaces completely covering all of its facets EMERGENCE takes on the surrounding environment providing new ways of perceiving a previously familiar space. The structure consists of 75 large mirror units covered on all surfaces with a mirror finish arranged into a cylindrical pavilion style structure with three entrances, all entrances are all wheelchair accessible.

Four lines of individually addressable LED’s run around the outer end of each unit creating a square making a total of approx 14000 pixels on the entire structure. These LED’s are visible from inside and outside and display a constantly evolving and mesmerising program of highly complex light patterns choreographed to the accompanying audio track. Each section is carefully constructed to create an optical illusion inside the unit creating a complete sphere of light when viewed from close by, but then a giant grid of light when viewed from a short distance. This enables three distinct experiences for the viewer which range from collective to intimate depending on location.

We have collaborated with the ‘NYX: Electronic Drone Choir’ to create the audio track for EMERGENCE, this also enables the option for live performance of the audio by the choir in locations that facilitate this. People are free to walk in, around and through the structure or can just view from a distance, there is no designated point of observation. The structure also incorporates a hearing loop to ensure the soundtrack is accessible to all.

Artist Bio

Loop is the collaborative artistic partnership of artists Harriet Lumby and Alan Hayes.

Based at thier Somerset studio they have established a reputation for creating large scale experiential installations utilising reflections and illusion at the intersection of technology, science and art.

Thier playful sculptures invite audiences to be engulfed by intense and thought provoking choreographed audio visual journeys.