Programme manager, Laura Broome recently visited London for the Lumen Winners Gala with programme producer Lucy Dusgate. Here she takes a couple of minutes out to tell us about the experience:
“Last Thursday Lucy and I took a trip to the Frontline Club in Paddington for the Lumen Winners Gala 2015, representing Quays Culture as one of the selected finalists. Our 2014 commission Aeolian Light has been successful in making it through some tough judging stages to be included in the final selection of works to be taken on the Global Tour, which features New York, London and Shanghai. The judging panel included Tate curator Clarrie Wallis, V&A Senior Curator, Douglas Dodds, and the Executive Producer of the National Film Board of Canada, Michael Fuskushima. With such an esteemed panel looking through works submitted from all over the world, we were thrilled to have been selected.
“The day began with a Digital Art Seminar Programme, where we heard from some of the other artists selected for the finalists tour. Hearing from the artists about their work highlighted both the diversity and high quality of international digital practice in the twenty first century. William Latham kicked off the day, presenting his work in generating 3D computer models of organic life forms, using genetic algorithm based techniques to mutate these forms into his stunning artistic creations. It is quite amazing how technology has advanced to take on the role of the artist. Latham did comment on how the artist may become extinct – which wasn’t met with the warmest of responses in a room full of artists!
Meanwhile, Beatrice Lartigue from French artist collective Lab212, presented their very interesting immersive work, including their Lumen Prize piece Portée. 16 independent electroluminescent wires were deployed to produce a weave of light inside a beautiful church. Each thread was connected to a melody played on an electro mechanic grand piano. Audiences were invited to explore the space and create their own musical score. The result was a stunning, immersive piece which reflected the beauty of its surroundings and provided a unique opportunity for visitors to interact. You can take a look at the work here:
Portée/ — Interactive unfold of a music score in space from Lab212 on Vimeo.
“It was a fantastic event, giving us the chance to meet with many interesting artists from across the globe. Now we’re looking forward to sending Aeolian Light on tour!”
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