We're always interested to see how technology increasingly enables new combinations of mediums for artwork, such as a recent work of performance art that stars a carefully choreographed set of 60 lamps—exposed tungsten bulbs on an arcing wood frame—along with the performers themselves, all set to an electronic score. "A Man Named Zero" is as much a work of performance art as an example of lighting design at its best. London-based lighting experts Nocte and Urban Cottage Industries created the concept behind this performance piece—a show put on at the London Total Refreshment Centre that's meant to "tell the story of one man's rite of passage as he breaks out of his mental and physical hibernation into discovering himself and his own mind," according to the brand's website.
Performance art definitely isn't for everyone—the slightest detail can spoil the suspension of disbelief that is a prerequisite for an aesthetic experience. But if the photos and video (below) are any indication, "A Man Named Zero" was quite the spectacle.
The lights are controlled by custom software developed in Cinder, a collaboration with music technology researcher Jamie Bullock. The program allows the user to recreate a 3D reproduction of a physical space, such that he or she can interact with the various elements on-screen to bring them to life in real-time.
What do you think—does this light installation completely steal the show?
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