ISIS

VIVID Smartlight Festival - Artlight 2009 University of Technology Sydney

"I used the organic form of the Isis sea fan as a motif as a connection between technology and natural forms".

Ruth McDermott

In the 18th century, candles were mounted in magnificent chandeliers which amplified the light through lead crystal drops cut into prismatic shapes. The laser cut Design was based on the optic principle of refraction which was first written about by Newton and Huygens around 1690. Isis is an exploration of the nature of the light from LED’s and it’s potential usage in lighting works using the principle of refraction. The shape was based on the Isis sea fern.

Size: 6m x 2m

Materials: acrylic & mdf

Light source: LED striplighting 4000k

Based on the concept of refraction of light our ancestors had designed creative technique of utilizing candlelight to brighten the interiors. The principle idea being the reflection, refraction and diffusion, the candles were mounted in glorious candelabra and chandeliers which amplified the light through lead crystal drops cut into prismatic shapes. In cooperating the traditional approach designer Ruth McDermott has come up with ‘Isis Sea Fan’. Taking its name from the organic forms, this smart lighting system mimics sea fans-soft tendril corals to create a bond between technology and natural forms.

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