Installation Art

One aspect of Post Modern art is installation art; work that relates to its environment by incorporating and reacting to its physical location. Here is a classic example of installation art from artnexus.com


In terms of lighting, I have found two trends that relate to this concept. The first are lights that create shadows and light patterns that are projected past the light itself and onto the lights surrounding environment. The light uses the room as its canvas, the patterns it projects are altered by its surrounding physical environment . from designshoot.com


from thevectorgroup.com

Another trend in lighting are lights that relate to their environment. These lights incorporate their mounting location and power source into the design. They seem to be engaged with and reacting to their environment.
from theplaycoalition.net

Relational Art Movement

relationalism is a current fine art movement that redefines the concept of art. Instead of art being judged based on its imagery or physical form, artworks are judged upon the inter-human relations which they represent, produce or prompt. Relational artwork creates an environment that brings people together to collectively experience and participate in an activity, basically Relationalism is Interactive Art.This Movement seems particularly relevant to our times as interactive design becomes more and more prevalent. Interactive design is a key part of our modern product development, from phones to websites interaction is carefully considered. In our post-modern world of art as product it does not seem so far- fetched that interactive design has become part of our fine art as well. This is a Relational / Interactive Art piece designed by Berlin interactive artists Gunnar Green and Frederic Eyl. It is a wall composed of mechanical apertures, they react to the amount of light and close or open accordingly, the result is a real time half tone effect as a person moves along the wall.
technabob.com


The fine art movement of Relationalism can be found in today's interactive lighting products. These light displays rely on interaction with people to create their images. I found a great example of this at hippyshopper.com

This interactive wall display uses low energy LED lights. Users can change the light display through touch and up to six people at a time can change different parts of the display.This product is also eco-friendly using about the same amount of energy as a toaster.

Another example is made by Electroland. It is a walkway that creates light patterns based on the locations of people on it. I found this and several other great examples at Interactive Architecture.org

Trend Watching

I will be following these two websites to gain more in-site into the connection between fine art and lighting trends.

the first site is Homedit.com, a great resource for lighting trends. Website: http://www.homedit.com/category/lighting

The second site is Art Info.com, a good resource for fine art news and shows. Website:
http://www.artinfo.com