Lucidbeaming: Embers

In conjunction with the exhibition Surreal Sublime, San Jose based artist Lucidbeaming will light up the ICA’s Lounge Gallery with his interactive sculpture Embers.

A fire needs fuel and air to burn. Without enough of both, it smolders and dies. Collective human experiences, both creative and political, share similar needs. This relationship can be demonstrated through an aesthetic and mechanical simulation of fanning and igniting the embers of a bed of potentially self-sustaining energetic reactions. As air moves across the surface, LEDS glow with an incendiary palette from black to brown to orange to yellow to white, depending on air volume and momentum.

By fanning and blowing on the piece, viewers create cross flows and (through collective effort) make the LEDs glow from red to white, which triggers a self-sustaining glow similar to a fire being ignited. After a short period, if the viewers reduce the effort or stop fanning, the LED “fire” will cycle back down to a dark ember-like state. The fire dies.

A person alone may not be able to generate enough movement. A collective effort is needed to keep the fire alive, especially if a sustained force is in opposition. This piece encourages collaboration and engagement with other viewers.

Above: Photos by Jerry Berkstresser and Joshua Curry

Volunteers

Joshua Curry • Diane Sherman • Tim • Brooklyn Barnard Anonymous • Chris Carson • Leila Carson-Sealy • Cristen Carson • Jonny Williams • Michael Loo • Elizabeth Loo • Kieran Vahle • Jasmina Vahle • Peter Vahle • Kilty Belt-Vahle • Sara Vargas • Sydney Twyman • Annie Sablosky • Martha Gorman • Nancy Scotton • Melody Traylor • Morgan Wysling • Bianca Smith • Susan Bradley • Jen Pantaleon • Guy Pantaleon • Carloyn Miller • Paolo Vescia • Amelia Hansen • Maddie Vescia • Natalie Vescia • Cathi Brogden • Evelyn Lay Snyder • Alice Adams • Lisa Sadler-Marshall • Gena Doty Sager • Mack Doty • Mary Doty • James W. Murray • Greg Cummings • Vernon Brock • Jerry Berkstresser • Lindsey Cummings • Kyle Knight • Liz Hamm • Rebecca Kohn • Shannon Knepper • John Truong • Diane Soloman • Stephanie Patterson • Robertina Ragazza • Sarah Bernard • Jarid Duran • Deb Barba • Astrogirl • Tara Fukuda • Christina Smith • Yumi Smith • NN8 Medal Medal • Gary Aquilina • Pamela Aquilina • Dan Blue • Chris Blue • Judi Shade • Dave Shade • Margaret Magill • Jim Magill • Brody Klein • Chip Curry • Jim Camp • Liz Patrick • Diana Roberts • Connie Curry • Tom Lawrence • Maria Vahle Klein • Susan Volmer • Jana Levic • San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art Staff

Embers has been a community effort. Thank you to all the volunteers who folded these rice paper balloons by hand.