FORTUNA 2013
Light Sculpture Installation
La Fragua, Tabacalera Madrid, Spain
Media: LEDs, diffusion and reflective material, custom lighting sequence, electrical hardware
Dimensions: 95 feet x 15 feet x 14 feet
On one of my trips to Madrid I was fortunate enough to visit, and photograph the magical Tabacalera. Immediately, I thought to myself how wonderful it would be to have the opportunity to create a project in this space. Then, feeling inspired, I asked my guide to save all of the rolling paper for me. I knew I would use this paper one day for my work.
FORTUNA, located in the Tabacalera, is a light sculpture that reflects the history of the old Tobacco factory, which was there before the art center. The name FORTUNA comes from the filters that were used for the La Tabacalera cigars. When a cigar is lit, the papers that surround the tobacco start to disintegrate from the heat. It is the filter, however, that allows the tobacco flavor to come through before it comes to an end. During the 1700s, cigars were widely popular and could be smoked by all. Everyone could be fortunate to own it, hence the concept of sharing. From sharing comes the fortune of doing good for others.
The title for the piece is meant to represent all the people in the world that have the equal opportunity to gain and achieve fortune. Fortune can be obtained through wealth, family, career and other aspects of life that can bring fortune, and balance in life.
My goal for this exhibition is to build a site-specific installation composed of tubes of different sizes. The different tube sizes will be differentiated according to their thickness. The tone of the tubes will come from white LEDS.
I will continue to explore my fascination with the intersections of light, sculpture, abstraction, and landscape by incorporating them in this piece. The sculpture's lights will shift and change as the viewer examines its architectural complexity. The concept of "traveling" through the piece is to inspire the viewer to create a personal connection. Fortuna's aim is to allow the viewers to feel a sense of wonderment and awe.
