4.1

Middle Years Activity

Making Your Own Light Sculptures

Dan Flavin - untitled (to Jan and Ron Greenberg) 1972-73

Dan FLAVIN
American 1933–96
untitled (to Jan and Ron Greenberg) 1972–73
yellow and green fluorescent light, edition 1/3
246.4 x 213.4 x 25.4 cm
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
Panza Collection
© Dan Flavin/ARS, New York. Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia
Photo by David Heald © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York
91.3708

Light sculptures inspired by the work of Dan Flavin

Dan Flavin uses fluorescent light tubes to create sculptures. His sculptures are filled with light and colour, creating different moods. Flavin uses fluorescent tubes bought in hardware shops; they are not especially made for him. He explores the impact of space and location on both light and colour. He likes people to have to walk around his works – like this corridor – to have to encounter them from more than one view. For Flavin light and colour create the sculptures.

For

Middle Years students

Curriculum

Art

Aim

To create light sculptures.

Preparation

To do this activity you will need to collect materials:

  • Lights, such as spotlights, desk lamps, torches, lanterns, Christmas lights etc.
  • Construction materials, such as cardboard, mirrors, aluminium foil, cellophane, fabrics – both sheer and opaque, masking tape etc.
  • Digital Camera, to photograph the light sculptures.

Caution:

  • Lights generate heat. Some lights become very hot. Take care to prevent burns and fires.
  • Electricity is potentially dangerous. Always handle electrical materials with extreme care and according to their instructions.

Group task

Create light sculptures that express different moods and feelings using lights and colours. You could try:

  • enclosing spaces inside boxes or small rooms
  • light and colour bouncing off walls creating reflections and shadows
  • illuminating corners of rooms as well as placing light sources at different heights and places within the room
  • strobing lights and enveloping spaces with colours
  • different coloured overlapping lights within one space