Thomas Wilfred (1889 – 1968) was a Danish-American musician and inventor. He was a pioneering light artist and invented a new mesmerizing art form called Lumia by combining modern art and technology.
Unlike most traditional art forms that are frozen, Lumia is a composition of light, color, and form that is constantly changing with time. It exhibits a broad spectrum of delicate colors and forms that are very difficult to record. Thus it is only possible to experience the full impact of Wilfred’s work in person.
Thomas Wilfred, Vertical Sequence, Op. 136, 1940. Metal, glass, electrical and lighting elements, and a frosted-glass screen in an oak cabinet. Carol and Eugene Epstein Collection
Thomas Wilfred, Study in Depth, Op. 152, 1959. Projector, reflector un Thomas Wilfred, Study in Depth, Op. 152, 1959. Projector, reflector units, electrical and lighting elements, and a projection screen; 142 days, 2 hrs., 10 mins. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Bristol-Myers Squibb by transfer from the National Museum of American History, Behring Center, 2004, 04.2. Photo: Courtesy Yale University Art Gallery
Thomas Wilfred, Lumia Suite, Op. 158, 1963–64. Projectors, reflector unit, and projection screen. Museum of Modern Art, New York, Mrs. Simon Guggenheim Fund, 582.1964
However, unfortunately, there are only about 35 of Wilfred’s work in existence and they are rarely displayed publicly because of the delicacy of the instruments.
The artworks have various run times, from five minutes, fifteen seconds to approximately nine years, 127 days, eighteen hours. Although Wilfred left specific instructions for their preservation to ensure Lumia could be exhibited well into the future, the fragile nature of the earliest objects require that they be turned on and off according to a schedule.
Thomas Wilfred, Untitled, Op. 161, 1965. Metal, glass, electrical and lighting elements, and a frosted-glass screen in an oak cabinet. Carol and Eugene Epstein Collection
Thomas Wilfred, Unit #50, Elliptical Prelude and Chalice, from the First Table Model Clavilux (Luminar) Series, 1928. Metal, fabric, glass, and electrical and lighting elements on a maple table. Yale University Art Gallery, Gift of Thomas C. Wilfred
Thomas Wilfred, Unit #86, from the Clavilux Junior (First Home Clavilux Model) series, 1930. Metal, glass, electrical and lighting elements, and an illustration-board screen in a wood cabinet. Carol and Eugene Epstein Collection
