Inspiration
Coming into this class, I was already pretty interested in projections. In my last few art classes, kinetic art and computer art, I was introduced to magic lanterns and light as an art form – a lot of which explored projections. These projections of light can introduce movement into art, creating a dynamic and interactive form of art that feels fun and mystical.
During the class introduction to light art, I found myself fascinated with Anila Quayyum Agha’s sculptures. The way the shapes project onto the wall is incredibly beautiful, and really emerges you in the art. It just further exemplified the number of things that you can do with light projection.
The way the public emerged into the light reminded me of another fascination of mine, stained glass.
I was raised Catholic, so I have spent a lot of time around stained glass, and I find it one of the most beautiful forms of art. A few years ago, I visited Barcelona and the Sagrada Family Cathedral. The stained glass in the Sagrada Family Cathedral is insane, you truly feel entirely enveloped in light.
(The images truly do not do it justice)
These ideas and artworks combine to inform my concept.
Concept Sketches
For my concept, I hope to create some sort of light box that projects a stained-glass insert onto the wall. The idea is that there is an apparatus that provides and focuses light through an interchangeable slide featuring a stained-glass artwork.
I like the idea of the slide being interchangeable, so that you can experience different artworks/colors/themes through the same piece. I also like the interactive aspect of it, those who are viewing the art can choose what they see.
As for the slides:
I have two ideas illustrated here. It’s not exactly going to be stained glass, as I am worried about smooth insertion, but I want it to give the impression of stained-glass.
What I came up with for this has three parts: A wood (balsa) cut giving the shape of the art, color (either cellophane or glass paint), and a clear material (glass or plastic film depending on the concept I go with).
As for the designs, I am not really sure what I want to do yet. Since I want to make multiple, I want to do some sort of series (the four seasons, phases of the day, landscapes, etc.) but I have not decided. I might get to multiple, but it depends on how long it takes me to make them. Suggestions are welcome (and encouraged).
Sloppy Mockup
Threw this bad boy together over the weekend.
It is sloppy (because I wanted to get it done before this week), but I really just wanted to get the dimensions and materials figured out. Which, yay! I did!
The wood I got for the slide was too thick, so I had trouble cutting through it (that is why it is not complete). I got some thinner wood (balsa wood), so I am going to try it again over the next week, I just ran out of time this week. This projection worked well though, so I am not super worried.
I plan on continuing to develop this mockup in order to figure a few more things out, but I hope to get started on the actual box following concept feedback.
Questions!
Some questions I have / would like your input on!
- How can I embellish the box?
- The box isn’t the main part of the art (the projection is) but the box will be visible, so I really do not want it to be ugly. How can I improve the look of the box? I was thinking of painting it, but I am worried that it is not going to be enough.
- Slide Design Recommendations
- As I stated above, I am looking for recommendations for the slide inserts. I want to do a series, so I would like ideas semi related to each other. No suggestion is a bad suggestion, lay ’em on me.
- Lighting
- I need suggestions for how to light the box. I need to the light to be small (to fit in the box), bright (so the projection is clear), and I would like it to be bright.
- I am thinking of either LED strips lining the back or taking apart a flashlight and rigging it through the back. If you have any better solutions, I would love to hear them.
Thank you everyone!
I also had the pleasure to visit Sagrada Familia and I agree that the colors inside from the stained glass are breathtaking. Your concept is really cool and I like how you’re combining both projections and stained glass. The interchangeable idea is also super cool and I think whatever design or layout you’re going with, it’ll turn out great.
This project seems awesome! I specifically thought your idea to have different panels for the seasons could make this a super functional piece as room decoration. For that, I would definitely recommend getting a light puck that you can change the light profile for to match whichever panel is currently in the piece.
Your concept of creating a light box that projects stained-glass inserts onto the wall is innovative. The idea of interchangeable slides to experience different artworks is particularly appealing. To keep the focus of your project on the stained glass, keep the case dark and clean so as not to distract from the projections. For the slide designs, themes like the four seasons or phases of the day could create a cohesive and visually engaging series. I don’t know a lot about bulbs and light but do your best to find something bright to create crisp lines but also doesn’t break the bank. Experimenting with different translucent materials for the slides, such as cellophane or glass paint, could also improve the overall effect.
I absolutely love this idea, it’s so fun and innovative at the same time. I would 100% recommend laser cutting, it’s really not too challenging and will make the wood on the slides (and even the box) super easy to make. Cutting those with a saw will be so much harder, more error-prone, and give you jagged edges. Let me know if you’d like any help with that! Additionally, I personally really like the four seasons idea for the slides!