Step into a world of randomised light pattern and evocative light vessels. **‘Light Forest’**, as first shown at Vivid Sydney 2023 showcased the newly released Trunk Lights with their smaller sibling the Stump light.
The over all effect was to create a space for quiet contemplation, drawing inspiration from the dappled light often found under a forest canopy. Each light vessel was created utilising the natural features of each trunk or stump section, creating beauty from something that is often associated with waste – the cracks in timber.
This vision of light bursting from the periphery represents both the salvaged nature of the materials used, but also the alternative sensory world from which I design, being legally blind with less than 5% vision concentrated around the peripheral field.
When I walk through the Sydney city, I feel a lot of noise, both metaphorically, but also literally. Barangaroo Reserve along the harbour is a nice piece of nature amongst the busy urban environment of the Sydney city limit. Building on this feeling of sanctuary, ‘Light Forest’ was installed at the reserve for the duration of the 1 month long ‘Vivid Sydney’ festival as part of the 8.5km light walk experience. This light was set amongst the festival with a record 3.28 million attendees for the 2023 edition.
These light art works were created using custom tooling, developed over several years, to hollow out the Trunks. Then artisan makers in our team hand carved the cracks into each light, following the contours and features created by nature. The Macrocarpa tree sections were chosen due to their salvaged nature, but also the highly featured appearance and beauty of the wood itself. Wanting to ensure the fit for purpose light-core, we assembled our own multi directional linear light source, ensuring consistency in light and warmth, and utilising acrylic as a light diffuser to minimise directional glare.
The Trunk lights can be made in height from 80cm to 2 metres and are anchorable for multiple situations, both indoor and out. These ones utilised a custom-made steel base plate, which was anchored into the ground.
6 of these Trunk lights were arranged around a grassy area at the reserve, near the water’s edge, 1 at 80cm height, 1 at 1.6, 2 at 1.2 and 2 at 2metres height. Alongside the Trunk lights, 40cm high Stump Lights were arranged, and with the varying widths of the light vessels a truly organic light art installation was created. The installation, the way it was set up, was not only intended to look at from a distance, but it was set up in a way to encourage the observer to walk through and truly interact with the overall installation, weaving through and around the Trunk circle.
