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Boston
Light (2004)
Joseph Nguyen
Wood, Prisms, & Tension Cable
10' x 10' |
Boston Light is a reflection of the cycle of day and
night in the urban Boston setting. By day, and especially with direct
sunlight, the work refracts the sunlight into a chaotic world. The simple
sculptural cityscape is transformed into an intricate society of bent
light. Then as the sun subsides and transforms into night, we are left
with a sculptural work that is lit up to reveal the calm and peaceful
city of Boston.
The site for Boston Light is the second floor lobby area directly behind
the atrium staircase. There are three large windows that face the Massachusetts
Turnpike, each approximately 10 feet by 10 feet. The actual piece would
be located in the center of the three windows.
To elaborate on the work, the general idea is to construct a curtain-like
fixture covering the window. The curtain will instead be constructed
of a series of strands. The strands will collectively form a sheet of
cables numbering 100+. On each strand will be carefully placed prism
pieces of various sizes and shapes. Together, the mass of strands will
reveal a glimmering image of the Boston cityscape when viewed from afar
(10-15ft. away). As the sun moves across the sky the prisms will project
various colors throughout the entire space. When darkness approaches,
or if the sky is dark to begin with, the recessed lighting on the base
of the work will illuminate. The base lighting will be housed in a wooden
box that will hide all the electrical necessities of the piece. At the
top the strands will be held by a curtain like support structure that
is also visibly hidden by a wooden exterior panel.
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