White Light, kinetic video sculpture (2008, phase 1) (2009, phase 2) (present, phase 3)
Materials: motorized pedestals, 3 projectors, computer, screen and dimensions variable

White Light is a three channel video sculpture that combines the properties of additive light color mixing with rotating video projections to immerse the viewer in the process of how we see video. The video projections act together-- the left and right projections rotate while the center one stays still. Colors from the different projectors mix as the projectors rotate, creating different color variations as the projections overlap or spread apart. It is set up as a triptych light painting, like a reverse prism, building white light from its component colors, red, green and blue. The bodies of the audience break the projections into multicolored shadows.

The video documentation above is from Phase 1 in summer 2009 at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. To accompany the installation at the museum I gave a workshop to teachers and a workshop to children and their families where we created abstract hand drawn 16 mm films in the tradition of Stan Brakhage and Norman McLaren.

White Light has been exhibited several times, each show had different sites and audiences allowing me to watch the piece interact with a wide range of audiences, who dance, pose and perform with their shadows. For example at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts at the Cluster show (2010) Stef Moser hulahoops in White Light.

Phase 2 of White Light ran from solar power outdoors at the InLight show (2009) at the 1708 Gallery in Richmond VA winning "Best in Green." Solar energy provided by a solar trailer developed by electrical engineer James D. Perkins.

Phase 3 of White Light is currently being developed to travel to schools through the Outreach program at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh accompanied by lesson plans by the Children's School at Carnegie Mellon University. Our work on the project is supported by a Spark Grant from the Sprout foundation. To have White Light visit your school, click here.
To download the curriculum click here.


Animation stills below.