‘absorbed by light’ highlights our smartphone addiction at amsterdam light festival 2018

for this year’s amsterdam light festival, design bridge and artist gali may lucas have collaborated on a new light sculpture entitled ‘absorbed by light’. the sculpture aims to comment on how digital technology engrosses us and takes people away from reality. the piece is on display in the city during the annual festival, which takes place between from 29 november 2018 until 20 january 2019.

all images courtesy of design bridge

the sculpture responds to the idea of ‘the medium is the message’, which is the theme of this year’s light festival and is on display outside the hermitage amsterdam. the installation itself sees three figures sat next to each other on a bench in the familiar poses and positions of smartphone users: heads bent, fingers typing and swiping, faces glowing in reflected light. the british artist, gali may lucas, comments on the subject by saying, ‘I see this every day in parks and in restaurants. in previous years, the works in the festival have been visually impressive but abstract – I chose to create something instantly recognisable and, in reality, quite literal. but eerie at the same time.’ 

the installation depicts people fixated with their smartphones

each year, the festival sees 30 new light sculptures and installations illuminate the streets of the city and this year lucas is the one of the youngest exhibitors. she worked with sculptor karoline hinz, who is based in germany, to create the piece. the two were initially connected after lucas discovered karoline’s work on instagram. ‘absorbed by light’ depicts people’s fixation with digital technology and intends to comment on a reality that has become so ubiquitous in current culture. 

light is used to illuminate the faces of the sculptures

the anti-social aspect of digital technology

the sculpture is set to be this year’s most ‘instagrammable’ piece

the work is on display outside the hermitage amsterdam

the british artist gali may lucas

the design stage

lucas is the one of the youngest exhibitors at this year’s amsterdam light festival

project info:

project name: ‘absorbed by light’

designer: design bridge in collaboration with artist gali may lucas

location: amsterdam light festival 2018