Sunday, March 13, 2011

Erwin Redl Lights Up the Wex

A few weeks ago I had the chance to view Erwin Redl's light installation FETCH at the Wexner Center. If you haven't had a chance to experience this work, I suggest you find time. Austrian born Redl is best known for his large scale light sculptures and installations. In FETCH, Redl continues this exploration and applies his vision to the Wexner Center's signature "grid".














Employing a series of LED tubes that fire and pulse in sequence Redl turns a static (some might say severe) architectural element into a unique and playful space. Obviously FETCH is best viewed at night, when the full effect of the lights are most apparent.









Recently the Wexner Center announced that FETCH will remain on display through May 30th, giving viewers a chance to enjoy it under more favorable conditions. Shutterbugs too should take note; the Wexner Center along with Midwest Photo Exchange are running an Erwin Redl photo contest through March 21. Details on that event can be found here: http://wexarts.org/wexblog/?p=4927

During my visit I shot some camera phone video that gives at least some sense of the dynamic nature of the work. Looking at it now I'm struck how easily it fits into the J.J. Abrams/Cloverfield paradigm. Still, the installation itself is first rate and not really done justice by my shoddy cinematography and substandard equipment.



Erwin Redl's FETCH photos Courtesy of the Wexner Center for the Arts