Solar Equation | Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
5 August, 2010
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer / Solar Equation, 2010 / Spherical captive balloon, helium, tehers and winches, 5 HD projectors, 7 computers with custom-made software, wifi network, iOS app. / 14m diameter (Aerostat balloon) / Copyright the Artist / Courtesy Haunch of Venison
PROJECT Light in Winter Festival
LOCATION Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia
ARTIST Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
ARTWORK Solar Equation
INSTALLATION PERIOD 4 June – 4 July, 2010
This year’s Light in Winter Festival in Melbourne commissioned Mexican-born artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer to produce a suspended artwork for Federation Square. The resulting artwork was a luminous, kinetic three-dimensional maquette of the Sun that allowed viewers to interact with its animated surface.
A spectacular installation emerging from the intersection of science, art and technology, Solar Equation is a faithful representation of the Sun. It is 100 million times smaller than the real thing, and animated with live mathematical equations that simulate the turbulence, flares and sunspots that can be seen on the surface of the Sun. Using an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, people may disturb the animations in real-time and select different fluid dynamic visualizations.
From the artist:
“While pertinent environmental questions of global warming, drought, or UV radiation might arise from the contemplation of this piece, Solar Equation intends to likewise evoke romantic environments of ephemerality, mystery and paradox, such as those from Blake or Goethe. Every culture has a unique set of solar mythologies and this project seeks to be a platform for both the expression of traditional symbolism and the emergence of new stories.”
A qualified scientist and internationally exhibited artist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s practice combines intelligent conceptual work with innovative execution. http://www.lozano-hemmer.com
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer / Solar Equation, 2010 / Spherical captive balloon, helium, tehers and winches, 5 HD projectors, 7 computers with custom-made software, wifi network, iOS app. / 14m diameter (Aerostat balloon) / Copyright the Artist / Courtesy Haunch of Venison
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
Solar Equation, 2010
Spehrical captive balloon, helium, tehers and winches, 5 HD projectors, 7 computers with custom-made software, wifi network, iOS app.
14m diameter (Aerostat balloon)
Copyright the Artist
Courtesy Haunch of Venison
