Light and Scale
Wintersemester 2010 / 2011
Betreuung: Prof. Dr. Zane Berzina
From the many fascinating animal skins interacting with light, in
this project i have chosen the structure of butterfly wings as a
model. These are characterised by two interesting optical effects:
they are all composed of numerous little overlapping scales, which
reflect the light thus helping to produce their particularly vivid
colours and they are iridescent. Each of the many streaks that
composes a scale, reflects the light in its own wavelength. Thereby
the colour can change depending on the viewing point.
The aim of this project was to develop artificial surfaces not
only with a similar appearance and texture to that of butterfly
wings, but also with similar optical properties. The original
texture of the wing was reproduced on a large scale in weave and
laser cut patterns, which achieved depth through an integration of
tiny 3D effects precisely translated into the new textile surfaces.
They remind us of regular natural scale structures and at
the same time clearly present a high-tech character, which is also
due to the selected materials - Nylon, Lurex, transparent paper,
transfer paper, Vinyl, etc. Material and structure are equally
responsible for the optical behaviour of the surface, reflecting
or absorbing light, or even playing with iridescence. By transferring
the model into textile, the possible effects become numerous.
Textile here is interpreted as a »reversed« screen. Unlike the
technological screen, which emits light, it receives light. A
perceptive experience created by the interactivity of textile and
light is proposed. The projection screen is part of the visual
play as the material element, which is a condition of its physical
existence.
Project »Light and Scales« takes the screen and the butterfly
wings as generative models, and transforms them into new membranes,
which integrate their functions and at the same time are
practically and intelligibly new concept on their own. These
membranes create an interaction between material and surroundings
(light, wind, visual/spatial conditions). They can only take place
in an environment where the light is used in a very conscious way.