The lighting for the “secession” vitrine is approaching completion. One half will have simulated direct sunlight using a set of daylight LED GU10 lamps. The intense light on the inner edge of the arches and the associated deep shadows on the “ground” now look convincing. The other half of the vitrine is to be lit with low intensity, shadowy, yellowish light. I had originally thought that very low, flat lighting would look menacing but it wasn’t and returned to the introduction of shadows. In retrospect that is rather obvious since it is what we do not know or cannot see clearly which causes distress. I also investigated the use of “flickering candle lights” to hopefully produce another layer to the lighting but while the effect was interesting I could not place the lamps near enough to the arches to realise it ( they needed to be in the vitrine and not outside it). The resultant effect was too weak. I then tried coloured pygmy lamps and this is looking promising and will adjust their levels with a dimmer.The final setting of the lighting will be done once the vitrines are filled with water and the haze levels adjusted.
We now have our exhibition spaces allocated and I will be using a double-height space of the entrance area. As an entrance it is a wide corridor and I am using an existing metal staircase to a) build a “void” work and b) attach a suspended micro-installation, into which you place your head and shoulders. This latter work is to investigate the fear/anxiety component of sublimity. The risk assessments for both these pieces have now been done so the construction can begin. I have also just received the back-projection fabric for the installation…first time I have seen that stuff upclose. It is interesting material which can increase the image intensity by around 2. I will post contruction shots as the build progresses. The “secession” vitrine will be located alongside these two pieces.
On Tuesday next the date for my presentation on the sublime (to go with the dissertation on the same) will be fixed.
