NEOurbaNite
The light installation ‘NEOurbaNite’ was planned as a one-night exhibition marking the opening of the gallery URBAN issue. 150 Fluorescent tubes formed a gigantic U I. The apparently commonplace concept of a symbol bringing light into the darkness created a futuristic and elegant spatial experience.
The installation was intended to catalyze the transformation of an empty space into a lively place, and mark it in the minds of the visitors – all potential participants in the dialogue of activity that would follow over the next two years.
The visitors stepped from the November darkness through the dark entranceway, pausing to hold their hands to their face before bathing themselves in the unforgiving 9,000 Watts of fluorescent light. The light penetrated and dissolved, revealing things normally hidden in the pale faces of the winter revelers.
The unbearably bright, oversized letters burned themselves into the memories of those present. The attention commanded by the light slowly melted as visitors adapted to the unusually bright room and began to linger, enjoying the luminous intensity.
The installation was realized with the assistance of members of URBAN issue e. V.
Material: 150 fluorescent tubes, 1 100 m cable, 9 000 W electrical energy.
Approximately 1 000 visitors attended this opening party on 14.11.1997.
