Life Lights

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Artists – Morgan Rauscher & Miles Thorogood
Hardware design – Morgan Rauscher
Interaction, software and sound design – Miles Thorogood
Producer – Mark Shieh

Interactive LED and sound installation
2010 River Market, New Westminster

Introduction
Life Lights conveys the flow and origin of water as the primary element that forms a bond between the environmental landscape of a river and the human intervention of industry. New Westminster hinges upon this bond as the origins of colonial growth in BC.The precipitation, represented through the form of droplet shaped lights, reflect the rains which manifest within the lower mainland. It is a work of art that reminds citizens of the beauty that is inherent in the glistening drops of rain that complete the cycle of precipitation and simultaneously begin the process of life from the earth.

Materials, Techniques and Themes
Life Light is made up of 120 rain drop light bulbs that hang in an undulating and dynamic array within the atrium from the newly renovated River Market. LED lights falling in organic arrangement are a reminder of rain drops that illuminate, shift in color and spread through the space. A multi-state A-Life program simulates interconnections of life. Each lights activity is linked to its neighbours making it a part of the greater life form. Local weather and human occupancy status conveys to the system the current environment at River Market that orchestrates the energy displayed by the A-Life system.Touch pads on the interactive guardrail stimulate a single water droplet that effects neighbouring droplets. Having a knock on effect, the interaction amongst the water droplets form a complex system. Relational patterns emerge, coalesce and disappear. Likewise, sound is generated from Life Lights that propagates through the space.This sonification is generated from a users input which creates an activity of light and thereupon results in a simultaneous generation of sound patterns.

User in Flux
As groups of individuals, shoppers, and families enter the River Market from the sky bridge, Life Lights is encountered as a changing field of light and sound.The weather data from outside is reflected with by colours and sounds. People entering the space trigger a reflexive engagement of the living transience of rain as a symbolic element of flow. The immersive media encounter is emblematic of the flux of environment and industry.Walking along the length of Life Lights, there is an invitation to touch and play with the interactive guardrail and cause a change with the lights and sound.Though the engagement of the users body, light and sound, Life Lights demonstrates individuals effect on the greater environment surrounding them in a playful user experience.

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