LED lights are not only embraced by the eco conscious or
cost savvy. Creative eyes also turn to this versatile, flexible and colourful
lighting, stretching its usability to a whole new level.
Street artists often dubbed as ‘guerrilla artists’ have been
known to apply LEDs to temporary creations in public places. The boom of ‘LEDThrowies’ in 2006 is a great example of this, substituting spray cans with LED
lights attached to batteries and magnets. Unlike graffiti, LED Throwies remain
visible against the night sky; lighting up political, social and thought
provoking messages for all to ponder.
Artists also use LEDs to enhance their very own pieces of art.
Whether it is sculptures, abstract creations or constructions based on a
particular theme or idea, LED lights can highlight and intensify these pieces.
Some artists go one step further and completely embed themselves in LEDs.
Finnish artist Janne Parviainen wrapped himself head to toe with a tube of LED
lights, then using long exposure camera techniques he portrayed a truly
galactic vision, summing futuristic vibes straight from another universe.
Parviainen says. "In my pictures you see a parallel universe which only the
camera can capture".
LED lights coupled with camera trickery is a developing art
form. In comparison to work by Parviainen, others artists leave LED lights to
dance and tease across the night sky. This form of light art produces a vivid
psychedelic scene, shooting light beams up to the sky to construct utterly
awe-inspiring structures; glowing beehive cylinders, sci-fi strands, cosmetic
cannons, extraordinary orbs and mind bending wires, all terms that can describe
these eye catching inventions.
British freelance photographer Martin Kimbell is a grand
example of how you can incorporate LED lights and long exposure camera tricks
to produce something quite special. His photography displays ghostly glowing
tornados and hula hooping wiry wreaths spiralling into the night sky. Practicing
with LEDs since he was 16, Kimbell is now a dab hand at creating these stunning
images. Modestly mastering a digital camera to test composition and lighting
but nothing more elaborate, “I can leave the shutter open for as long as I want
without worrying about the quality degrading or my battery running out.”
Artists are well renowned for turning something run of the
mill, mundane and unassuming into something with an edge, a spectacle and a
subject to puzzle over. The world of LED artwork is one of them, with artists’
using the night sky, buildings and even themselves to sorcer up an ecstatic
enchantment of light architecture and design.
What’s more, these artists are using equipment which is
kinder to the environment, so in some ways they are giving two things back to
the world; art and planet conservation. LEDs have the scope to be compulsory,
not just seen as an alternative to halogens and fluorescents but a must for all
establishments.
In a time where modern technology is so advanced, surely
there is no need to keep producing lamps which are so harmful to the
environment? Yet unfortunately this kind of logic can be applied to most
things, stop producing weapons and people won’t be killed or seeing as 92% of
money is not in physical form, print more money and distribute it to the poor.
Until these proposed ideas are taken seriously and god forbid actually actioned
it is up to us to keep the fire burning and the light firmly lit, but remember,
the lights need to be LED.