A Vision of Light – Leo Villareal
Tue, Jan 27, 2009
Today I want to introduce you to Leo Villareal.  But first, let me set the stage.  You’re at the The National Gallery of Art and you realize that there are two buildings as part of the museum: the East and the West.  Now you can enter these buildings by using the doors on the street.  Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can enter one of the buildings and make your way downstairs to the tunnel that connects the two.Â
And that is where you first see it – and become completely mesmerized.Â
The first thing you notice is a sign at the top of the tunnel that directs you to the other building.Â
On one side of the long tunnel is a pathway for you to use.Â
And on the other side is the moving walkway.
But it’s not like any moving walkway that you’ve ever known. For one thing, it bounces. You feel like you’re walking on something cushiony and springy, almost like a trampoline.
And the second difference, which is rather obvious from these pictures, is the wall of lights surrounding the walkway.  (These shots were taken sequentially so you can see how the light changes and moves.)
One minute it’s almost completely dark and seconds later, the entire corridor is glowing with light.
Walking on the walkway and looking at the lights surrounding you is a surreal experience. Â (See Exhibit A: The CPA)
Exhibit A
or Exhibit B
What people may not realize is that this experience is actually part of a work of art, created by light sculptor Leo Villareal. The Museum commissioned Villareal to create this piece, which is his largest work to date, and it was put in place in September of 2008.  The bad news?  It will remain here until September 2009, which means you have only a few months to see it before it’s gone.Â
What is it made of, you ask? Â Well, it uses 41,000 computer-programmed LED (light emitting diode)Â nodes.
They run virtually the entire length of the tunnel, which is roughly 200 feet.
The light changes patterns because a custom-designed software programs the various light sequences.  But even though the sequences are programmed, there is an element of chance to how they appear, so the likelihood of the same pattern repeating itself is very slim.
The artist, Leo Villareal, is making quite a name for himself and his work can be seen as far away as Seoul, Korea and Madrid, Spain. He also has had several pieces featured here in the United States in places like New York, Kansas, and California.Â
So if you have a chance to check out his work, I definitely recommend it. Â Trust me, it will be a surreal experience. Â
Have you seen any of Villareal’s work or something like it?
Related Posts:
Washington DC National Gallery of Art
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Tags: leo villereal, light sculpture, national gallery of art
January 27th, 2009 at 6:56 am
To use a Maine term, That’s Wicked Awesome!
-FringeGirl
January 27th, 2009 at 7:00 am
WOW! Man I wish I could go see it in person…the pics are awesome! I would probably just want to stop in there for awhile and forget about the rest of the museum. haha. I haven’t seen any of his work yet, but I will definitely be looking out for an opportunity to.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
January 27th, 2009 at 8:07 am
That is totally amazing…sure glad you shared and what great photos for sure. Not sure I will be able to get there before the exhibit leaves…thanks again!!
January 27th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Domestic Fringe – ha! Wicked awesome – I have a friend from up north who says that too.
Hi Briony – my pleasure! It really was cool. We spent about 10 minutes riding the walkway and just gaping. People probably thought we were a little odd.
M to TTA&D – it’s too bad you won’t be able to see it, maybe he’ll have one in Atlanta soon!
January 27th, 2009 at 8:35 am
As long as we’re using regional sayings….how about cool beans!!!
Upstate New York, at least in the mid-80s!
January 27th, 2009 at 8:37 am
How beautiful! Can you imagine what would happen to me in the visual stimulation? I still would love to see it! I see a trip to Kaye’s coming soon!
January 27th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Melody – ha!! I totally remember that one! Out in Utah (where I lived for 10 years) everyone used to say “You bet” or “you betcha.” Drove me crazy!
Carol – it really was so pretty. And yes, it might not be good if you have dizzyness problems, but you should come up to visit anyway though and give it a try. Would love to see you!
January 27th, 2009 at 9:37 am
What a cool tunnel! I don’t think I’ve seen anything of his before.
January 27th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Light sculpting is AMAZING! Wow, thank you for posting this, I love it!
January 27th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Wow, that is awesome, would love to see that in person. Thanks for sharing!
January 27th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I will be there ASAP! That looks so cool. I can just picture Odie in his monkey shoes loving that!
January 27th, 2009 at 11:35 am
TOO BAD we won’t be able to get out there to see that before it goes! At least I get to enjoy the pictures. Those lights look amazing.
I was at the National Gallery when I was 14 and loved that moving walkway. And the waterfall in between the two buildings, by where the food is, is that still there? (Or maybe I am remembering somewhere else?)
January 27th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Wow!
Your posts always leave me a tad jealous that you’re out exploring and going to art museums… and I’m at home with twin 19 month olds, and it’s snowing, and one of them is sick! GAH! LOL At least you give me a glimpse of the outside world!
Thank you!
January 27th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Kristina – i’m with you, I had never seen light sculpture before. I think that’s why I was so enthralled.
Stephanie – my pleasure!
Sabrina – you’ll just have to make a trip out here.
WofO – I agree, have Odie wear his new monkey shoes and it will make all the difference! (see my Christmas post for those of you who want to know what monkey shoes are: http://www.fromsingletomarried.com/2009/01/06/christmas-morning/ )
Erin – wow, good memory! You’re right, it’s right by the waterfall that runs into the glass. Very good. It was cool too, I just didn’t get many good pictures of it.
Mommy Amy – poor thing, I hope your baby gets better soon!
January 27th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Wow, that really reminds me of the walkway between the concourses at Detroit airport! That’s not by this guy, though, but it’s kinda the same concept! :O So beautiful pictures!
January 27th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Wow. That’s…incredible, and probably much moreso in person.
January 29th, 2009 at 5:00 am
That tunnel of light looks incredible. Must be worth a visit to the museum just to see that. Too bad it’s not a permanent feature. I better hurry. Thanks for the great post.
January 29th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Anneli – really? That’s cool. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen a light sculpture before.
Rachel – yeah, it’s pretty amazing.
Alzo – you’re welcome. And definitely get there while you can. Although the museum does still have a lot of other exhibits that are just as beautiful.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Oh, I’m so excited it’s up! Last time I was at the gallery (school field trip) they were preparing the exhibit. I cant wait to see it!