liz west surrounds visitors in an additive mix of mirrors, color, and light

liz west surrounds visitors in an additive mix of mirrors, color, and light
photo by stephen iles © national media museum/SSPL

from now until november 1, 2015, manchester-based artist liz west reveals ‘an additive mix’ at the national media museum in bradford, bathing a 10m x 5m room in a vibrant spectrum of light and color. 250 6ft fluorescent tubes with filters in 191 individual hues are combined with a surrounding series of infinity mirrors, reflecting a dynamic and intense illumination throughout the space.

the installation draws from the principle that white light comprises different colors of the spectrum, called additive colors, and immerses visitors in a physical actualization of the phenomenon. those entering the exhibition space become completely saturated in varied hues that collectively create white light in a seemingly endless expanse.

250 fluorescent tubes with filters in 191 individual hues are combined with surrounding infinity mirrors
image courtesy of liz west

‘an additive mix’ has been commissioned for the exhibition ‘light fantastic: adventures in the science of light’, forming part of the national media museum’s festival of light. ‘this is a body of work that I have dreamed of being able to make for a number of years. to be given the opportunity as part of the museum’s celebration of light is thrilling and very fitting’, west says. ‘artworks I remember seeing as a child are the ones in which I was completely immersed, and that’s what I hope an additive mix will achieve: taking people out of the ordinary into the extraordinary, and staying in their memories for a long time.’

the installation draws from the principle that white light comprises different colors of the spectrum
photo by stephen iles © national media museum/SSPL

image courtesy of liz west

the installation reassembles the diffracted colors of the rainbow 
image courtesy of liz west

a dynamic and intense illumination is reflected throughout the space
photo by stephen iles © national media museum/SSPL

the artist within ‘an additive mix’
photo by stephen iles © national media museum/SSPL

children from lister primary school in bradford visit the colorful installation
photo by stephen iles © national media museum/SSPL

a 10m x 5m room is bathed in a vibrant spectrum of light and color
photo by stephen iles © national media museum/SSPL