Ananlisse Taft & Katharina Plath

Marjorie Nezin

Judy Kamiem

Digital Graffiti by  Jacob Abramson

I Love You More Than You Love Me
Artist: Jen Kao
Neon light, Plexiglass & rubber lure fringer 24" x 13"
Courtesy of artist 2011

"Moths are not the only creatures attracted to light:  humans are too.  It is a source of endless fascination & beauty.  For this year's ball, we were inspired by our sponsors, Molycorp and Continental Mining & Metallurgical Corporation.  The Rare Earths Company, to explore luminescence, one of the properties found in their minerals.  A quick definition:  while incandescence is the hot glow that comes from fire, luminescence is the cool, often eerie glow that lights up everything from undersea creatures, to glow-in-the-dark stickers, to the  neon lights of Times Square.

The artists who contributed works to the Fluorescent Ball explored the theme from every angle possible.  Some chose the cheeky retro glow of neon colors to add an acid bite to their art.  Many used neon and fluorescent lighting as elements in their work, making reference to everyday signage, as well as to artists such as Dan Flavin, who pioneered the use of fluorescent lighting in conceptual art.  Others incorporated a subtle glow in their works - a glow that seems to emanate from within.  All of the works play with our fatal attraction to light, with the lures of luminescence.

Jennifer Scanlon
Associate Curator, Museum of Arts & Design

The Global Africa Project

 

Until next year...

www.madmuseum.org

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