Interested in researching how artists can use light, I came upon the kinetic light sculptures of Paul Friedlander. Friedlander is both a light sculptor and a physicist who studied under Nobel-Prize winning physicist Sir Anthony Legett. His works are a perfect example of the intersection between art and science, as he applies scientific concepts to produce innovative and interactive works.
The topic of kinetic art is something incredibly new to me, and sounds like a very contemporary concept. However, according to the Huffington Post article “Kinetic Light Sculptures by Paul Friedlander Merge Science and Art”, Friedlander’s interest in kinetic art started in 1970. In the article “Spectrum of Colors Revealed Through Lit String Vibrations” on www.mymodernmet.com, Friedlander explains his focus on kinetic art. Friedlander states, “”I decided to focus on kinetic art: a subject in which I could bring together my divided background and combine my knowledge of physics with my love of light. In 1983, at London’s ICA, I exhibited the first sculptures to use chromastrobic light, a discovery I had made the previous year.” Chromastrobic light is interesting because it is able to change color at a speed faster than the human eye can see. Friedlander explains that such a speed causes “the appearance of rapidly moving forms to mutate in the most remarkable ways.”
The video included below demonstrates some of Friedlander’s works produced through the use of light and motion; he is able to produce surprisingly beautiful works through very mundane objects. These pieces are created by rotating a piece of string at an extremely fast pace through white light. While the vibrating string moves quickly enough to appear invisible, the colors from the light- that can normally not be caught by the human eye- are rapidly exposed.
That is so incredibly neat!! I would love to be able to witness his chromastrobic light in person. It would be interesting to learn the science behind how our perception of color distorts our perception of the movement of the string. Very cool, thanks for posting!
This reminded me of another artist that I recently heard of, Kim Bernard. She’s not a physicist, but apparently she works with Harvard’s physics department to get inspiration for her work. I think these would also be considered kinetic sculptures, which I’m also rather new to! You can see a video of her work in the article below.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2015/03/24/artist-walks-into-harvard-physics-department/Iykba2vkJ9dypeo974B3cO/story.html?event=event25