Using light as its narrative, ‘SOURCES’ is an installation that explores the nature of the Bow River's water cycle.
The project culminates 12 months of research, which spans the river's ecosystem, geology and character. We have explored how the river interacts with both the human and natural environment and have sought to quantify the data we've gathered so that it can provide source material for creative reflection.
We often perceive our natural environment in predominantly visual terms, and knowing this, it has often been the aim of visual artists to engage and stimulate our powers of visual perception in new and challenging ways. Our spheres and light projections represent a visual echo of the natural environment of the Bow river, corresponding in colour and light to how we perceive it, while engaging and stimulating our visual imagination.
The ‘geographical distribution’ of spheres on the river directly corresponds to key points of interest, regarding how the river’s environment is formed. Spheres, placed at the peripheries of the river’s islands, indicate the sites at which island formation and growth occurs – which is a result of the movement and subsequent accumulation of loose stones on the river’s bed.
The Light Matrix is the realisation of our ongoing research and development programme. The spheres incorporate bespoke software development, an integrated bouy system, wireless receivers and transmitters, and a sustained, in-depth environmental research project.
The software program has been designed to interpret data, accumulated from our research, and transpose it so that it can be expressed as colour and light. The spheres in their integrated buoy system provide the visually stunning and environmentally friendly platform for that expression.
Below is a series of charts that illustrate the source data behind the Light Matrix, please click to enlarge:
the Data research and visualization below has been produced By CarmenTorrecillas
1. The Water Cycle
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2. Water Flow
3. Water Demand
4. Water Quality Index
