Audio-Visual Light Art Installation »LichtWasserWerk« (LightWaterWorks)
Light art with depth in the retention basin at Hirschgarten in Munich
mbeam won the pubic tender issued by the Münchener Stadtentwässerung: The enactment of Europes biggest water retention basin underneath the Hirschgarten in Munich on the occasion of the open house day. „Sustainability“ was the overreaching theme of the light art installation.
In the beginning was the idea. A glass basin filled with water, water pumps, a camera, light projectors…following the idea came the search for material. A silver coloured ribbon, an old wrist watch, various types of paper, colourful plastic foils, withered leaves, a toy action figure, the net from the super market which maybe once held potatoes. They are the main actors in this play of light art.
Remaining objects collected in the retention basin are swimming and moving now in the water of the glass basin. They are filmed and in their uniqueness projected all around onto the far walls of the huge hall. Objects, once careless disposed of, transform into beauty and dynamic, projected onto walls, huge areas, columns and the depth oft he hall. Light situation, camera setting, and light choreography are tailored to one message: The ability of mankind to make something of anything, to constantly reinvent themselves, to live sustainably.
Execution follows the idea: The underground building is huge, just like a cathedral, wide and high, interrupted by columns, a special challenge for the light projectors with which the objects are projected into the depth of the hall. In vast sizes, sheer monumental, appear nets, woods, leaves, plastic foils, metal objets, keys…surreal in their size, too big to even recognize them, and yet, beautifully decorating the huge room.
Everything is in movement. The objects swim, are surrounded by sparkling water. The strangest objects transform into elegantly moving contours and contrasts which dye the entire retention basin into an impressive play of light and shadow, dissolving and abstracting its structures. The objects symbolize the message that everything is a cycle – if mankind only wishes for it.
The individual phases of the light art installation were accompanied by three phases of minimalistic electronic music which transformed the retention basin into a highly emotional place, encouraging the visitors to pause and think.
An ocean of words projected on the columns and walls of the retention basin formed the end of the light installation. Words that appeared in the depths of the hall, ever again interrupted and optically changed by the columns. The words float and drift, just as if they were swimming on a water surface. They describe life and the all penetrating significance of sustainability and the thoughtful use of our resources.
Everything is a whole, everything is a cycle. The rain, the creek, the river, the ocean…water is the key, the elixir of life of which all life originates and which is essential for its conservation. Let´s preserve it!
The result was breathtaking, visually and acoustically, as was the feedback by the spectators. “A very strong and touching event” (Visitor) „The idea to project found objects into the huge hall was deeply impressive” (Visitor) „A sole hymn to the wet element “ (Big German Newspaper).
Data and facts about the retention basin:
Das rain retention basin underneath the Hirschgarten in Munich is not only the biggest of its kind in Munich, but in Germany. There are a total of 13 retention basins in Munich with a total retention capacity of 703.000 cubic metres. They serve to protect the water in the region and thereby contribute significantly to the protection of the environment and the well being of the citizens of Munich.
ProjectCity of Munich, Germany. Idea, art, concept, production and implementation
