Art Becomes Light: From Brush To Form

Visual art is always an interpretation of the reflection of light. Even a dark canvas in a black room with a black frame is a work that uses the absence of light and light reflecting mediums to make a statement. Picture frame lighting and art light brings out the best of the arts qualities. LED picture light is also designed to bring out the artists vision. But since the dawn of artificial light artists have been turning light as a tool into light as an art form. Artists are no longer just using the shadows and highlighted areas to create an image, they are using light in innovative ways as the medium itself. While this is not a new phenomenon, it has neatly exploited as the ability to create and manipulate lights continue to evolve.

From the first controlled flames in the caves of early humanity, light became an artistic medium. Shadow plays were most certainly acted out on the wall to entertain the Neanderthals waiting for the storm to pass or the saber tooth tiger to leave his perch above the entrance. As civilization developed new uses of light for art were discovered. Shadow puppets became intricate paper cut outs casting elaborate images on a sheet or wall. Artists made stained glass windows to create religious art for churches. Buildings were constructed to use the orientation of the sun to to cast shadow designs in courtyards.

When electric lights came on the scene, art took a dramatic turn. The most dramatic advance was in motion pictures. The director of photography used light like paint. After the images were captured on film, projectors shot light through the film and put the images on the screen. It was simply a more intricate shadow play taken from ancient traditions. Light was still treated mainly as a tool to create or enhance art. As lighting becomes more sophisticated, its use in art has continued to evolve.

Artist began developing methods to work with light where light was the subject. Projects have been developed using light as the major component. Photographers stood in the dark holding colored lights and waving them in front of the camera to create ethereal images that could only be seen on the film itself, images that only the film can capture. Since the introduction of fiber optics it has introduced a new artistic tool into play. Artists can find ways to use fiber optics to develop works that glimmered with light. Neon art has spawned many artists and even museums dedicated to neon art.

Light has enchanted artist and non artist alike. While artists are finding ways to create fantastic pieces that capture the imagination and light up the night, the average citizen is also fully engaged with light as art. Every holiday thousands of neighborhoods across the country transform into enchanted worlds of magic and light. Bushes are hung with strings of glowing lights. Houses are draped in dripping icicles of light. If the dog did not move it would be wrapped in colored bulbs. Everyone enjoys using light for art and as art.