troika: bent light archway arcades project at interieur 2012

first image
'arcades project', 2012 by troika as part of the 'future primitives' project' during biennale interieur 2012
30 m (l) x 2 m (w) x 3.2 m (h)
lenses, lights, steel and aluminium
image © designboom


designboom met with sebastien noel in kortrijk to discuss london-based art and design studio troika's vision for 'future primitives project'
as part of the biennale interieur 2012 entitled 'arcades project' - a site specific light installation exploring what is intangible and what is physical. 
set up in a former stable building in the historical town of old buda island in belgium, the artwork is an archway given shape by a series of 14
columns of light that are met by a fresnel lens refracting the rays of light that travel through its focal point. on exiting the lens the rays do
not just change direction but bend hyperbolically to form the arches of gothic architecture - an immaterial structure.

the experimental project combines the elements of science and philosophy articulated through intersecting the disciplines of sculpture,
architecture and art where the implanted illuminated form engages in strong metaphysical dialogue with its surrounding volumes -
brick walls, pitched roofs and exposed wooden beams. the work offers a moment to reflect upon the ethereal architecture -
exploring the boundaries of what does and does not define a space and, ultimately, an experience.

troika comments on their take on the 'future primitives' project:

'our interpretation of the 'future primitives' recognizes and questions our consumption with technological progress by offering room
for reflection and moments of contemplation rather than efficiency in performance, and celebrates observation,
human involvement and experience in an increasingly rational and rationalized world'.



sebastien noel describes the lighting concept and installation
video © designboom



the artwork is set up in a former stable building in the historical town of old buda island in belgium
image © designboom



the experimental project combines the elements of science and philosophy
image © designboom



a detail of the artwork illustrating the refraction of light
image © designboom



the artwork is an archway given shape by a series of 14 columns of light that are met by a fresnel lens refracting the rays of light that travel through its focal point
image © designboom



the implanted illuminated form engages in strong metaphysical dialogue with its surrounding volumes
image © designboom



the work explores the boundaries of what does and does not define a space
image © designboom



detail of the lower part of the column
image © designboom



image © designboom



image courtesy troika



video © designboom



sebastien noel of troika
portrait © designboom



a sketch of the concept
image courtesy troika






isaac newton's sketch of his crucial experiment (experimentum crucis) in which light from the sun is refracted through a prism



image courtesy troika


the biennale INTERIEUR 2012 has invited 7 artists, designers and architects to create a project room.
curator lowie vermeersch explains the future primitives showcase which features nendo, makkink & bey, ross lovegrove, greg lynn, troika,
david bowen and muller van severen.




--
INTERIEUR 2012
biennale in the city, city in the biennale
20 – 28 october kortrijk, belgium

the biennale INTERIEUR is now in its 23rd edition and is internationally recognized as an not-to-be-missed overview of trends, tastes and cultural movements.
INTERIEUR 2012 will be bigger and better than ever with an extensive programme and an exciting mix of culture and commerce.
it will bring a curated selection of 300 international design brands to 90.000 expected visitors over a period of nine days,
additional exhibitions are scheduled to be shown in the city-centre, and pop-up bars plus a restaurant will be installed beyond the halls of the fairground.