In the run-up to the Amsterdam Light Festival 2015-2016 we were approached by several artists. Remarkably, three of them all asked if we wanted to work with the so-called EL wire. EL-wire is an electroluminescent wire that lights up by means of alternating current. The wire consists of a core of copper with a coating of phosphor. Actually, EL wire can’t be put even under the heading of LED lighting, but we loved their beautiful creations and were already familiar with the product so obviously wanted to work with them. We are proud of the results!
Uniting Light Star
This work arose from an intensive collaboration between artist VeniVidimultiplex, Smederij van Rijn and OneEightyOne. For this project we used a lot of EL-wire and developed a new controlling system. After several tests we completed the project in our workshop and built it on site. We added the programming after building the object and thus added programming on site instead of in our workshop. A nice detail is the interactivity of this artwork. The public had to push the various buttons to highlight the EL wires; the more buttons pushed, the more threads lit up. The tour boats that passed this artwork through the canal were equipped with a sensor. Every time the boats came along strobolights were activated causing an impressive stroboeffect.
Paths crossing
For this particular creation OneEightyOne supplied 2600m EL wire, including installation boxes equipped with drivers. The EL wires had all kinds of colors and Ralf Westerhof made a very special story telling composition. Each line has a color that stands for a person. Lines move toward each other and thereby represent friendship that become closer. This artwork was one big surprise; it couldn’t be seen until the boats with sensors passed by and activated the lighting in the wires. The visitors thus unexpectedly sat amidst a world of colored lines.
Weft
This work arose from an intensive collaboration between Australian artist Meagan Streader and OneEightyOne. We made a tubular frame where Meagen subsequently knotted a network of EL wires around in our workshop. When it was finished, OneEightyOne helped to transport the artwork to the Turfsteeg to install it there.
Besides these three, we have partnered with six other artists for the Amsterdam Light Festival. Click here to read more!