'sunset' installation in delft emerges from the water to emit a vibrant, 360 degree glow 

‘sunset’ installation question our relationship with perspective

Ethereal and luminous, the ‘Sunset’ light sculpture emerges from the waters against its urban backdrop of Delft to reinterpret the everyday phenomenon of the sun sinking into the horizon. Designed by Mike Rijnierse and Ludmila Rodrigues, the installation draws inspiration from the universal fascination with sunsets in films and paintings, creating a large, inflated sun that emits a vibrant red glow throughout the day and night.

Its illumination creates a 360 degree panoramic view to question our relationship with time and perspective. The ‘Sunset’ invites the public for a contemplation in stillness and urges them to gravitate around it. As they get closer or move further away, and perceive the installation from a different area as they circulate, they can find unusual angles and relations with the space.

‘Sunset’ installation | all images courtesy of Ludmila Rodrigues

a 360 degree experience urges us to put our phones away

The mobile installation was first exhibited in the waters of the idyllic town of Delft in 2021, then later in the pond of the Dutch Senate in the Hague in 2022. The Netherlands-based artists Ludmila Rodrigues and Mike Rijnierse began the project while standing on the beach one day, and wondering how many times the sunset gets photographed each day around the world. The duo then began exploring the idea of sculpture that captures this image in an unexpected perspective by freezing and vanishing the image.

The work touches on a soft spot for photographers — with the sunset perhaps being one of the most photographed scenes worldwide. It questions our urge to capture and share images through our contemporary devices, encouraging us to instead bask in the moment. ‘While gazing at the sublime event, we tend to replace our stereoscopic biological view, our eyes, for the cyclopic technological perspective of our cameras,’ notes Mike Rijnierse.

The sculpture is scheduled to feature at Nuit Blanche Paris on June 3rd, 2023, at the eastern point of Île de Saint Louis, on the river Seine. The work has been made possible with the support of festival Highlight Delft, the city of The Hague, TodaysArt Festival, Stroom Den Haag, and LucoLED.

‘Sunset’ light sculpture emerges from the waters against its urban backdrop of Delft

reinterpreting the everyday phenomenon of the sun sinking into the horizon

the installation urges audiences to step closer and explore it from different angles

a bold red hue illuminates the night sky long after sunset

the mobile installation will be exhibited next in Paris

conceived by Delft-based artist duo Ludmila Rodrigues and Mike Rijnierse

project info:

name: Sunset
designer: Mike Rijinierse, Ludmila Rodrigues

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom