Art students light up LUX with blue LEDs and glass
With just six weeks left until the end of university, design student Jessica Cooper took on the challenge to create a light display for Wellington’s LUX Festival.
‘‘I haven’t had time to stop,’’ the fourth year Massey University student said.
‘‘It’s been a great experience to be involved in.’’
The Tawa resident said it was the first time students were invited to compete for a spot at the festival.
Her group’s work was chosen as one of the six student works.
‘‘ Being in our final year we jumped at the chance to do something a bit different. Working with different materials, experimenting with a more handson approach and, most of all, stepping away from the computer is something that designers don’t always get the opportunity to do.
The exposure came at the perfect time because Cooper has started the hunt for a job.
‘‘It’s getting experience,’’ she said.
The opportunity was a challenge because none of her group had electrical experience.
‘‘I’ve always liked lights, but never worked with them. We knew nothing about wiring and stuff so it was a huge learning curve.’’
She said the display had had a few technical difficulties on the first few nights of the festival, but it had been popular and she had enjoyed watching people’s reactions.
‘‘It gives you this real good feeling,’’ she said.
The group’s display, 2745, was made up of as many transparent glass bottles, 18 varying levels of water, a cage-style dumpster and 3000 blue LEDs.
‘‘The water levels from full at the top and gradually get lower as they reach the bottom, reflecting the process of recycling. Bottles like these are thrown [out] on a daily basis, but can actually be really beautiful when illuminated,’’ Cooper said.
Started in Wellington in 2011, LUX is a free nocturnal festival incorporating light, art, technology and design with works from top local and international multimedia artists. This year’s event, held for nine days until August 31, was the biggest yet, with a record 32 works on display.