I am exploring the Movement of Light
In my movement project I investigated light and how it moves. The primary sources I used were mirrorball's, flowers and how these react to light such as sunlight which was another focus. Across my three electives, sculpture, fashion, and ceramics, I explored how light can move, reflect, shine, sparkle, and grow towards. I mainly looked at how these qualities are effected and manipulated by light and how natural as well as manmade objects can change, move, reflect, shine, sparkle and grow when under light.
Mirrorball's became one of my first reference because when light hits there shiny mirror pieces they shine, reflect and of course they physically move light. Their rotating surfaces scatter reflections across space, creating shifting patterns that feel alive. Using my primary source I tracked the movement of the light reflecting off my Mirrorball. I have always been drawn to Mirrorball's weather it was a Christmas ornament, in a Taylor Swift song or in a club. From this I wanted to look more at how light may change the objects/ art work I made in my electives.
The sun became a natural extension of the Mirrorball theme as another source of radiance, but one tied to life and nature. I observed how flowers grow toward the light, and how flowers will transform and illuminate under the sunlight. I then introduced curved forms into my art work, using tin and metal in sculpture to bend, curve and to create, also in fashion I used wire inside of fabric so I could manipulate the fabric by bending and moving. I used shiny, reflective and sparkly materials to keep with idea of the Mirrorball. I continued with these curves in ceramics and connected my pieces with the previous elective work I did.
I researched many artists that have worked with light and movement some in which I loved and others that I thought were interesting but also found a bit boring. I also incorporated symbolic elements inspired by one of my favourite movies Tangled Disney's Rapunzel. Like the sun as well as the magic flower these represent hope, growth, healing, and the natural attraction to light.
In my movement of light project I mainly focused on these three primary references, but these are also things I have always loved.
I've always been fascinated by Mirrorball's since I was child, I have always love the sparkle it give off and even now I find myself drawn to the Mirrorball when I go out to the club as though it has a hypnotic quality. From a young age I loved sparkly and shiny things that reflect like glitter or my Mirrorball's because of this my mother often said I was like a magpie.
The sun and sunlight is something I also love, I love a bright sunny day and watching the sun hit of something reflective or shiny and watching it sparkle, like jewellery or the water. The sun light also creates colours like with a rainbow, the ocean water, and when the sunsets/rises. Another thing I found interesting about the sun while studying my leaving cert was the winter solstice and light box. I believe that the people of that time saw the sun as a god like figure and worshiped it and that fascinates me.
As for my last main focus which was the flowers and how they grow towards the light, flowers is something I have always loved since I was young child I would sit on the grass making daisy chains, I often wore and even now wear clothes with a flower like pattern. as a kid I would stop and stair at the flowers and even now when I do my weekly shop I always stop and look at the flowers.
I am glad I got bring these different manmade and natural objects into my project as references and inspiration. I had a lot of fun with this project and although I wish I could have made more work towards it I do love the work I have made. I had a lot fun making this work and photographing it!
Overall, my movement of light project is about how light shapes the world not only through physical illumination but through emotional and symbolic resonance. Mirrorball's scatter light in a fun and playful way, the sun nurtures growth and life, and flowers reach toward brightness.
