light art Archives - Biomorphic Lumia

Lightcrawlers

J-Walt — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 21:44:19 +0000

Lightcrawlers are a series of modular, illuminated sculptures that bring a sense of quiet mystery and playful sentience to the garden landscape. Composed of translucent, bulb-like segments, each articulated at a subtle fifteen-degree offset, these forms can be gently rotated to alter posture and gesture. Their serpentine bodies—ending in claw-like or exploratory “heads”—evoke the slow, searching movement of nocturnal creatures, part botanical, part animal, and entirely imagined.

The modularity extends to their leg structures, which can be repositioned to refine stance and balance, allowing each Lightcrawler to adopt its own attitude and presence. Whether upright in a moment of alert curiosity or stretched in a tentative reach, no two assemblies present quite the same silhouette.

Designed as luminous interventions within the outdoor environment, Lightcrawlers function as sculptural garden lights. During daylight hours, their translucent surfaces catch and refract sunlight, giving the impression of growths that have just emerged from the soil. At night, solar-charged LEDs illuminate the interior chambers, transforming the forms into softly glowing sentinels that activate automatically at dusk. Their name playfully echoes the “nightcrawler,” suggesting both biological inspiration and an otherworldly reinterpretation of familiar earthbound life.

By day reflective, by night radiant, Lightcrawlers inhabit the threshold between object and organism—quiet companions that animate and enchant the spaces they inhabit.

: Lightcrawlers at Night

: Two Lightcrawlers facing each other

: Three Lightcrawlers examining a print

: A Lightcrawler near the pond

: Lightcrawler among succulents

: A Lightcrawler guarding the stairs

: Lightcrawlers appearing to pick lemons

: Lightcrawler craw

: The modular bulbs of Lightcrawler legs

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Ember Spiral

J-Walt — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 21:03:33 +0000

The Ember Spiral is a sculptural species which debuted 2024. It is an imaginative fusion of botanical geometry and luminous ornament. Rising in a graceful helical sweep, the work is fabricated from an innovative 3D-printed medium composed of thirty percent real wood fiber, giving the surface a tactile warmth and a visibly articulated grain that recalls hand-carved natural forms.

At its base, a central spiral unfurls into five gently arcing branches, each culminating in a translucent, flame-like element. These terminal forms contain clusters of minute LEDs that emit jewel-toned points of red, blue, yellow, and green. When illuminated, they imbue the sculpture with an internal vitality, as though each flame were a living bud shimmering with stored energy.

Drawing inspiration from the emergent spirals of ferns and other unfurling plant structures, the Ember Spiral suggests both growth and motion. Its interplay of warm wood tones with luminous, color-shifting accents creates an atmosphere that is simultaneously contemplative and playful. The sculpture’s gentle radiance transforms its surroundings, offering a subtle sense of uplift and enchantment.

Standing approximately 15 inches (38 cm) tall and powered by low-voltage LEDs via USB connection, the Ember Spiral merges craft, natural metaphor, and technological innovation into a singular, evocative object.

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The “Electric Fireworm” Biomorphic Light Sculpture

J-Walt — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 20:32:29 +0000

The “Electric Fireworm” is a new biomorphic light sculpture I designed in early 2024. It’s crafted from 3D printed parts and adorned with dozens of LEDs. It contains computerized lights with endless patterns that convey moods and energy levels. The sculpture is intentionally made to resemble a worm creature or a succulent stalk.

In the process, I worked diligently to ensure the form of the piece flowed with a graceful arch, while adding playful bulbs for visual appeal. Through numerous iterations, I experimented to achieve the desired shape and translucency. I eventually created bulbs that refract light in eye-catching ways. Moreover, the bulbs now even beam light forward, casting small spotlights on walls and objects near the worm.

Designed to be modular, this biomorphic light sculpture stands approximately 26 inches (66 cm) tall. Additionally, it is illuminated with 49 LEDs, which are controlled individually by an internal microcomputer. Consequently, the Electric Fireworm is capable of producing endless variety of animated light patterns and cascades. Some of those patterns are energetic, while others are calmer. As a result, the Electric Fireworm can be configured to match a user’s mood or the mood of a space.

Assembling the creature revealed the need for supports to stand up. That prompted the design of the distinctive worm feet for the base. This addition not only imbues the sculpture with character but firmly places it within the “animal kingdom.”

Following its creation, I embarked on naming the creature. After brainstorming, the word “fireworm” resonated, aligning perfectly with the character of this electric segmented worm. Upon researching, I discovered that not only does a “fireworm” exist in the natural world, but it bears a striking resemblance to my creation. Thus, “Electric Fireworm” became the fitting name.

Looking ahead, I believe the modular design of this biomorphic light sculpture is indeed a success. Not only can I create sculptures taller than the volume of my printer, but each module prints cleanly. As I look to the future, I’m eager to evolve this creature into other forms. Perhaps I’ll continue to utilize the same bulb modules employed in the Electric Fireworm. Or perhaps I’ll explore entirely new designs.

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