Light Art by Maggie Orth

Pile Blocks (2008).

 'By touching the woven pile squares (the grey conductive areas) light is transmitted through the woven textile to reveal hidden colour and pattern. Touching the different pile sensors creates different animated lighting patterns, which move over the surface of the piece.

Patterns interact with each other like ripples in a pond.A single piece of fabric combining both double weave and pile textile structures creates the conductive sensors and light transmitting effects. When white, LED light passes through the double weave fabric, the colored weaving on the back is revealed. Software explores a variety of regular patterns and randomly generated sequences.' 

'Firefly' dress and necklace.

Maggie Orth uses electronics frequently within her textile pieces to create interesting, quite interactive effects. I think the 'Pile Blocks' piece is quite lovely as it is almost as though the fabric has the ability to come alive alive as it can react to your touch and completely reinvent itself simply by using a different lighting pattern. I prefer it to her 'firefly' dress due to it's abstract nature and I could see the design being used as a repeat print in fashion textiles.

Luminous Lace by Loop.pH

 Loop.pH installed this illuminated lace at the entrance to Kensington Palace.

'Inspired by the ceremonial lace that has been worn by the British royal family for centuries, the light installation is made from over 4 kilometres of electroluminescent wire and is decorated with Swarovski crystals.'

A beautiful example of electroluminescence, which was discussed in our most recent lecture. I always find the use of light energy really inspiring in works of art and I'm not entirely sure why that is. Perhaps I'm easily effected by light energy and find myself comforted by their glow, I don't know. But I do know is that  these installation pieces by Loop.pH. are gorgeous.

References: http://www.dezeen.com/2012/03/23/designed-in-hackney-luminous-lace-by-loop-ph/