Prize(s) Winners in Interactive Lighting Project / Light Art Project
Lighting Design/Product Company This is Loop
Lead Designers Harriet Lumby and Alan Hayes
Photo Credits Alan Hayes
Other Credits Katie Maddison, Motus Art, Dan Bibby, STFC, Oxford University Physics Department
Completion Date 12.01.24
Project Location Touring artwork
Entry DescriptionGeist has been inspired by particle physics and the elusive neutrino or ‘ghost particle’. It is a touring light artwork designed for exhibition in the public realm; large-scale and shaped like an octagonal carousel, 6m in diameter, each of its faces a 3x3m window into a figment of reflection and light, created by a mirror illusion and showing a suspended illuminated orb. The illusion is interactive; only by the proximity and movement of the audience, does the suspended particle of light come to life. Individually addressable LED modules start flickering and glimmering in the presence of people.
The scientific narrative of Geist involved input from particle physicists at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (STFC) and the Physics Dept at Oxford University. The collected group of physicists have provided access to and context for real neutrino oscillation measurements from the T2K neutrino detector experiment in Japan. In collaboration with new-media artist Motus Art sound artist Dan Bibby, we have re-interpreted actual neutrino interactions seen by T2K, using input from motion sensor cameras and complex code, into the animation of moving light and audio. The type of ‘neutrino’ seen will depend on the neutrino oscillation probabilities from T2K. When the audience ‘interacts’ with the sculpture, Geist will reflect a visual and audio representation of the detection of a neutrino.
Sustainability ApproachGeist ships in the most economical way possible, purposely fitting into a smaller 8.5m truck bed when touring on its own, minimising fuel emissions, or fitting on to a traditional 13m artic truck with a second sculpture for fuel economy.
Geist is fabricated from aluminium framing so is infinitely recyclable. The fascia material is Richlite sheeting which is made from resin infused post-consumer or FSC certified paper product with EcoBind designation resin. Mirror material is an aluminium composite product sourced from UK manufacturers.
Metal fabrication was done within 26 miles and external CNC work within 12 miles of our workshop to minimise fabrication / material mileage.
All integrated lighting is LED and low energy consumption.
Geist is designed for a touring lifespan of at least 5 years. When it's decommissioned it will be dismantled and recycled / re-purposed in house
Company DescriptionLoop is the collaborative artistic partnership of Harriet Lumby and Alan Hayes
Based in their Somerset studio they have established a reputation for creating large scale experiential installations. With over twenty years combined practice focussing on utilising reflections and illusion at the intersection of technology, science and art this has created a common theme throughout their visually impactful architectural style work.
